Gus Ipul Describes Tension at NU Congress as Normal Dynamics
The Chairman of the Operating Committee for the 35th Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Congress, Saifullah Yusuf, also known as Gus Ipul, has addressed the tension that occurred in front of the Plenary Session room at the Bahrul Ulum Islamic Boarding School multipurpose hall in Jombang, East Java, on Sunday (30/8).
Gus Ipul stated that the orations and tensions involving several individuals that marked the event are a normal occurrence in large organisational gatherings. He assessed the incident as part of the forum’s dynamics.
“Ah, that is just normal dynamics. We should view this as part of the festivities of the Congress,” said Gus Ipul when met by journalists at the session location.
Gus Ipul requested that all parties refrain from drawing partial conclusions from the event. He reminded that the entire session area is being closely monitored.
“We must understand this in its entirety, not in fragments. Especially since there are many CCTVs in this area. We will provide further explanation later,” he said.
The tension arose amidst demands from protesters regarding the session materials, including a proposal to amend the Association Regulations (Perkum) concerning ‘Political Iddah’ for prospective chairpersons of the PBNU.
Responding to this, Gus Ipul emphasised that the committee’s role is solely to facilitate the smooth running of the event, while the highest decision-making power rests entirely with the forum participants, or muktamirin.
“The Congress holds a higher position, so it can make any decision. The decisions made here are binding. If changes are desired, they must certainly be subject to the approval of the Congress participants,” he noted.
He ensured that the situation at the session location has now returned to being conducive and that the involved parties are currently deliberating together to find a solution.
“The atmosphere has now calmed down, and deliberations are underway to find the best way forward. That is the essence of NU,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, the atmosphere around the Congress arena was observed to be calmer than before. Inside the session arena, the process of counting or tabulating the votes proposed by the Ahlul Halli wal Aqdi (AHWA) from the participants is still ongoing.
Previously, chaos had occurred around the NU Congress arena. Dozens of protesters forced their way into the main plenary session arena and demanded to meet the congress committee.
Observations at the location showed that the group, identifying themselves as Nahdliyin Muda Indonesia, moved from the western side of the multipurpose hall. They arrived in groups and pushed through the entrance access while delivering orations.
Security personnel from the Ansor Serbaguna, SIGAP, and Pagar Nusa units on duty were successfully breached by the crowd. Shoving matches occurred, resulting in damage to a plywood photobooth backdrop themed for the 35th NU Congress located in the hall’s courtyard.
Several digital attendance computers at the arena entrance were also pushed, necessitating their evacuation to another location.
In their demands, the protesters urged the committee to halt the use of the Association Regulations (Perkum), which they believe could potentially disqualify several candidates for the PBNU Chairperson.
The protest coordinator, Fathoni, argued that Perkum Number 3 of 2025 regarding the Requirements for NU Officials could potentially be used discriminatorily during the PBNU Chairperson nomination process.
Article 13, paragraph (2), point c of Perkum Number 3 of 2025 states that a candidate for PBNU Chairperson must ‘not hold office as a member of a political party or an organisation affiliated with a political party within the last 1 (one) year.’
According to Fathoni, this rule could eliminate certain political party cadres from the running for PBNU Chairperson. The protesters believe that the Perkum should serve as an instrument for organisational management, rather than being used as a political tool to obstruct specific candidates. They also questioned the process of discussing and implementing the regulation during the 35th NU Congress.