NU Congress: Rais Aam and PBNU Chairman barred from holding concurrent public office
The Organisation Commission session of the 35th Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Congress has agreed that the Rais Aam and the Chairman of the Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board (PBNU), as congress mandataries, are not permitted to hold concurrent political or certain public positions.
Deputy Chairman of the Organisation Commission of the 35th NU Congress, Prof. Asrorun Niam Sholeh, said on Sunday that the agreement is one of the points reached during the Organisation Commission’s deliberations and will subsequently be brought to the plenary session for ratification.
“The Chairman and the Rais Aam are congress mandataries who serve as symbols of the organisation’s leadership,” he said in Jombang.
He explained that the prohibition covers political positions such as President, Vice President, Minister, Governor, and leaders of political parties.
According to him, the rule applies only to the Rais Aam and the PBNU Chairman as congress mandataries, while the provision does not apply to other NU officials.
Asrorun said the agreement on the concurrent office rule was reached through deliberation and consensus without a vote.
“This is a wise solution and was reached through deliberation and consensus without voting,” he said.
He explained that the Rais Aam and the PBNU Chairman hold positions as symbols of the organisation’s leadership and must therefore maintain focus in carrying out the congress mandate.
“He carries out the task of siyasatul ulya, the highest form of politics. Meanwhile, matters of political office are siyasatuddunya, worldly affairs,” he said.
In addition to the concurrent office rule, the Organisation Commission also agreed that AHWA remains one of the mechanisms in the process of electing the PBNU Rais Aam.
Asrorun said AHWA is an institution established by the congress and has the mandate to carry out the Rais Aam election process in accordance with the agreed provisions.
“Alhamdulillah, it was also agreed that Ahlul Halli wal Aqdi remains one of the resolution mechanisms in the context of electing the Rais Aam, and that has been running,” he said.
All results of the Organisation Commission’s agreements will subsequently be brought to the plenary session of the 35th NU Congress for ratification.
Secretary of the Steering Committee (SC) of the 35th Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Congress, Prof. Dr. Ir. Mohammad Nuh, said that regarding concurrent office, as discussed by the Organisation Commission, it applies only to the positions of Rais Aam and PBNU Chairman.
“So what has been agreed regarding concurrent office applies to the congress products, namely the Rais Aam and the PBNU Chairman. Others are permitted,” said M Nuh.
The 35th NU Congress is being held at Bahrul Ulum Islamic Boarding School, Tambakberas, Jombang Regency, from 27 to 31 August 2026. The event is attended by participants from within and outside the country, at the PWNU, PCNU, and PCINU levels.