Gus Ipul says Nasaruddin Umar enters PBNU chairman race

Social Affairs Minister and PBNU Secretary Saifullah Yusuf has said Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar is among the names considered suitable to enter the race for PBNU Chairman ahead of the NU Congress. Saifullah Yusuf, known as Gus Ipul, stated in Kediri, East Java, on Tuesday that several names have emerged in public discussion regarding the PBNU Chairman candidate, including Nasaruddin Umar, who previously served as Katib Aam of PBNU. “If we look back since the era of Gus Dur, over the last 40 years at least, the three previous chairmen all once served as Katib Aam,” he said. He explained that Indonesia’s fourth president Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur), Said Aqil Siradj, and Yahya Cholil Staquf all held the Katib Aam post before being elected as PBNU Chairman. According to Gus Ipul, Nasaruddin Umar also carried the mandate as Katib Aam of PBNU during the leadership of the late K.H. Sahal Mahfudh. Gus Ipul also confirmed he will neither run nor be nominated in the PBNU Chairman election. The statement was made following a coordination meeting for the preparation of the 2026 Nahdlatul Ulama National Conference (Munas) and Grand Conference (Konbes) at Al Falah Islamic Boarding School, Ploso Village, Mojo District, Kediri Regency. Meanwhile, the East Java Regional Board of Nahdlatul Ulama declared its readiness to support the implementation of the NU Munas and Konbes at Pesantren Al Falah Ploso, Kediri. “In essence, PWNU East Java is ready to support the Munas-Konbes NU in Ploso; our preparations with the local committee are almost 100 percent, just awaiting execution,” said Mustainn, Chairman of the Regional Committee for Munas-Konbes NU from PWNU East Java. The event will conclude in Bangkalan Regency, Madura, on 23 June 2026, with the President planned to attend. PWNU East Java Chairman K.H. Abdul Hakim Mahfudz, or Gus Kikin, expressed hope that the Munas and Konbes NU proceed smoothly and produce strategic decisions that strengthen the organisation’s leadership system in accordance with the values and aspirations of Nahdlatul Ulama’s founders. “We are optimistic the forum will serve as a vehicle for organisational consolidation ahead of the 35th Congress or the Second Century Congress of Nahdlatul Ulama,” said Gus Kikin.