Gus Lilur: NU Must Become the Republic's Moral Guardian

Jakarta, VIVA – NU figure, HRM Khalilur R Abdullah Sahlawiy, alias Gus Lilur, says that prominent names are beginning to surface ahead of the 35th NU Congress. Moreover, he says political networking has already begun to emerge.

“Some are moving openly, others still operate in quiet spaces. All of them seem normal for an organisation as large as NU. Congress always brings dynamism,” Gus Lilur said in a statement on Wednesday, 20 May 2026.

He also suggests that there is something influenced by powerful figures. He emphasised that NU is an organisation born from ulama and pesantren.

“As a member of NU, I feel this way of thinking is not only mistaken but historically painful. NU is not an organisation born from the womb of state power. On the contrary, this country stands because of the contributions of NU ulama,” he said.

“Therefore, he argued that NU leaders should not have to obtain prior approval from the state authorities. Because, in his view, the ulama are the nation’s moral compass.

“There is propriety. There is historical awareness. There is respect that ulama are not subordinates of power, but the nation’s moral source,” he added.

He stressed that NU has always been close to the people and to the state, but has never bowed to be the state’s instrument.

“Yet NU ulama are not seen as turning their struggle into a tool to seize the state.

“They did not use their struggle as a tool to dominate the state. Many returned to the pesantren. They returned to teaching. They returned to guiding the community. They helped establish the republic, but they were not greedy for the republic,” he said.

Gus Lilur admitted concern that interference by power has begun to appear ahead of the 35th NU Congress.

One example is in the form of conditioning support, forming political blocs, using bureaucratic networks, or merely attempting to sway the direction of PBNU leadership.

“NU is not an ordinary community organisation that can be treated as a tool of political power. NU is a pillar that has kept this republic standing and enduring to this day,” he said.

Nevertheless, Gus Lilur said NU must not be swept up in short-term power interests. He hopes that NU will remain the republic’s moral guardian.