Kiai Zulfa: Gus Kikin's Priority Should be to Stabilise NU

KH Zulfa Musthofa, one of the candidates for the General Chairman of the Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board (PBNU) at the 35th NU Muktamar, has expressed his hopes for KH Abdul Hakim Mahfudz, or Gus Kikin, who has been elected as the General Chairman for the 2026-2031 period. He hopes that Gus Kikin’s leadership will be able to bring NU towards a better future while embracing all existing potential within the organisation.

Kiai Zulfa believes that the potential of NU members across Indonesia is immense. Therefore, all elements must be given the space to serve and collaborate in expanding the reach of NU.

“Hopefully, he can lead NU to be better. Secondly, he can invite the major potentials throughout Indonesia, which are certainly very vast, to serve within NU,” Kiai Zulfa stated when contacted by Republika.co.id on Tuesday (1/9/2026).

According to him, Gus Kikin’s leadership needs to avoid the tradition of “the winner takes all.” He hopes that those who were previously candidates or held different aspirations during the election process will still be invited to build NU together.

“People should be selected based on their capacity, and secondly, the aspirations of their supporters—as we know there were at least five major contenders—must be considered and included,” he said.

Kiai Zulfa also affirmed his support for Gus Kikin as the elected chairman. He had previously issued a congratulatory message following Gus Kikin’s victory in the 35th NU Muktamar.

“I have already made a statement expressing my congratulations. I believe all candidates should do the same,” he remarked.

He reminded that NU is a great house that is far too precious to be damaged by group interests, whether from the winning or losing sides.

“It would be too naive if this great house were to be dismantled simply because the interests of a certain group, whether winners or losers, were not met,” he said.

Consequently, Kiai Zulfa urged all parties to accept the Muktamar results with wisdom. In his view, neither the winning nor the losing camp should impose their will.

“The best approach is to discuss matters wisely,” he concluded.