Kiai Urges Gus Kikin to Resolve PWNU East Java Issues Before Pursuing PBNU Chairmanship
The Chairman of the Pasuruan Regency Branch of Nahdlatul Ulama (PCNU), KH Imron Mutamakkin, has suggested that the Chairman of the East Java Regional Board (PWNU), KH Abdul Hakim Mahfudz, also known as Gus Kikin, should first complete his mandate at the regional level before running for the position of General Chairman of the Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board (PBNU) at the 35th NU Congress. “I am conveying that Gus Kikin should focus on PWNU East Java first. There are many things that need to be addressed,” Kiai Imron told Republika on Thursday (23/7/2026).
He noted that there remains a number of outstanding tasks within the PWNU East Java that require attention. These include strengthening religious programmes, improving the quality of educational institutions under the LP Ma’arif NU, developing higher education, and building synergy among NU-owned hospitals in East Java. “How are we doing in the religious sector, how are the schools under Ma’arif, what is the role of the regional board in improving the quality of higher education. Likewise regarding health services in East Java. Many hospitals have been established by individual PCNUs, but they are still operating independently,” he said.
Kiai Imron also criticised the implementation of a coordination meeting between PWNU East Java and all PCNUs across East Java on Tuesday (21/7/2026). According to him, the invitation received by participants stated that the agenda was coordination for the preparation of the 35th NU Congress. However, in practice, the forum was focused on declaring support for Gus Kikin’s candidacy as General Chairman of PBNU. “On Tuesday, I said, why were we asked to come for congress coordination, but the content was only to be told to support a candidate. In fact, there are many things we should bring to the congress, one of which is how to uphold the supremacy of ulama within NU,” he said.
He assessed that PWNU East Java, as one of the barometers of Nahdlatul Ulama, should utilise the momentum leading up to the Congress to formulate and offer various strategic ideas for the future of the organisation. “We should not just wait for materials from the Congress Steering Committee, but also put forward ideas. Especially since PW East Java is a barometer of NU,” he explained.
Furthermore, Kiai Imron questioned the claim that 42 out of 45 PCNUs in East Java had declared their support for Gus Kikin. “That is also a claim. Many PCNUs are in the same position as Pasuruan. Because only seven spoke up at that time,” he said. Echoing this sentiment, the Chairman of PCNU Blitar Regency, KH Muqorrobin, stressed that the decision of PWNU East Java to endorse Gus Kikin does not automatically represent the stance of all PCNUs in East Java. “The decision of PWNU East Java does not mean it reflects that all PCNUs in East Java automatically support it,” said Kiai Muqorrobin.