Gus Yahya Dismisses Palace Interference Claims Ahead of PBNU Congress

JAKARTA - Chairman of the Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board (PBNU), KH Yahya Cholil Staquf, has dismissed rumours of ‘cawe-cawe’ or interference from the Presidential Palace in the organisation’s upcoming congress. Gus Yahya stated that any figure claiming to have the blessing of President Prabowo Subianto to run for the chairmanship is lying.

Speaking in Jakarta on Tuesday, Gus Yahya argued that the government has no interest in influencing the internal affairs of NU. “I don’t see any interest for the government to interfere in NU’s matters. It is of no use to the government or the president. If anyone claims they are endorsed or even ordered by the president, it is definitely a lie,” he said.

Gus Yahya acknowledged the circulation of issues regarding individuals attempting to leverage the president’s name to boost their electability and support at the branch level ahead of the congress. However, he believes President Prabowo is far more focused on objective development cooperation than intervening in NU’s domestic affairs.

“We have heard rumours of someone saying, ‘I am running because I am endorsed by the president.’ That is certainly a lie. The government has no interest in interfering in NU’s internal business because it is useless. It is better for the government to cooperate normally with NU for the sake of national development,” he added.

Furthermore, Gus Yahya highlighted the long history and track record of NU, noting that the organisation possesses a maturity and institutional independence that is well-established, as it is even older than the Republic of Indonesia. “Nahdlatul Ulama was born in 1926, while Indonesia’s proclamation was in 1945. Regarding maturity in processing common interests, NU as an entity is, God willing, reliable. There will always be parties who want to interfere, but we can see the evidence that NU has always maintained its independence,” he explained.

Gus Yahya also issued a stern warning to any parties still intending to divide or intervene in NU. “I think this long tradition of maturity will safeguard its integrity. If anyone wants to try, they will face the consequences,” he concluded.