NU Congress Results: Gus Kikin Elected PBNU Chairman for 2026-2031

KH Abdul Hakim Mahfudz, commonly known as Gus Kikin, has been officially elected Chairman of the Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board (PBNU) for the 2026-2031 term. Gus Kikin was chosen by consensus among the nine kiai members of the Ahlul Halil Wal Aqdi (AHWA) council during the 35th NU Congress.

“The members of the Ahlul Halil Wal Aqdi (AHWA) have decided by consensus to elect KH Abdul Hakim, known in daily life as Gus Kikin, as Chairman of the Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board for the 2026-2031 term of service,” said KH Anwar Iskandar, reading out the plenary session of the 35th NU Congress in Jombang, East Java, on Monday (31/8/2026).

The decision was taken after congress participants had previously held a vote to narrow down the top five candidates for PBNU Chairman. In that ballot, Gus Kikin secured first place with 472 votes.

The four other PBNU Chairman candidates who received the highest votes were KH Zulfa Mustofa with 262 votes, KH Abdussalam Sochib with 261 votes, KH Yahya Cholil Staquf with 258 votes, and KH Abdul Ghofar Rozin with 155 votes. These five names were then reported to the AHWA members.

The nine kiai members of the AHWA then held a closed-door deliberation this morning. The deliberation lasted from 06.20 WIB until 07.00 WIB. The outcome of that deliberation appointed KH Abdul Hakim Mahfudz as the new PBNU Chairman.

The 35th NU Congress has also produced the PBNU leadership for the 2026-2031 period. In addition to Gus Kikin as PBNU Chairman, the congress plenary session appointed KH Miftachul Akhyar as Rais Aam of PBNU.

The closing ceremony of the 35th NU Congress will be held today. President Prabowo Subianto is scheduled to attend in person.