Kiai Abdul Muhaimin Criticises PBNU, Claims Deviation from AD/ART and Khittah

The direction of the current leadership of the Pengurus Besar Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) has come under sharp scrutiny and criticism from within the organisation itself. A’wan PBNU, KH Abdul Muhaimin, stated that this largest Islamic organisation is experiencing a crisis in its social role, to the point of deviating from its basic rules. He made this statement during a discussion event titled “NU at the Crossroads: Preserving the Role of Civil Society in the New Era” in central Jakarta on Tuesday, 12 May 2026. The supervisor of the Nurul Ummahat Pesantren in Yogyakarta expressed his dismay at NU’s advocacy role amid various public issues. He cited numerous agrarian disputes and major projects that pressure the people, where instead, institutions from other mass organisations step up. “I am saddened as an A’wan. The Wadas case was handled by LBH Muhammadiyah, and the PSN case in PIK 2 was also handled by LBH Muhammadiyah. Where is NU?” he said. According to KH Abdul Muhaimin, this decline in critical capacity and advocacy function directly impacts the weakening of NU’s bargaining position with the government. Ironically, traditional educational institutions like pesantren are also victims of this loss of influence. “NU today does not have a bargaining position in political-economic policies, let alone pesantren which remain marginalised to this day,” he said. On that occasion, he also highlighted the internal condition of PBNU, which he assessed as too centred on certain figures, thus stifling cadre dynamics. “The current PBNU structure, in my view, is like a one man show. Whatever the event, it’s always the same people who come,” he explained. He then revealed three main violations currently faced by PBNU. First, PBNU is deemed to have deviated from the qonun asasi. Second, deviated from the khittah of the organisation’s struggle. Third, strayed from the spirit of the AD/ART of the organisation. “There are three major problems. I think PBNU today has deviated from the qonun asasi, deviated from the khittah, and gone out of the AD/ART,” he said. Furthermore, he described this condition as dangerous for the organisation’s future. “The current NU leadership is tantamount to mass suicide. The dynamics of advocacy in NU ranks are dead. If there is any movement, it is localistic in nature. Whereas NU’s resources are complete,” he said.