NU Figure Reminds of the Importance of a Clean and Integrity-Filled Congress
A prominent figure from Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), HRM Khallilur R Abdullah Sahlawiy, commonly known as Gus Lilur, has reminded that the upcoming NU Congress must be free from money politics. In fact, if necessary, money politics should be declared haram. According to Gus Lilur, money politics not only influences the voices of Congress participants but can also mortgage NU’s future.
“Before the Congress moves too far into candidate dynamics and power configurations, there is one thing that must be affirmed from the outset, clearly, without compromise: money politics is haram, and NU must not be built on something haram,” Gus Lilur told reporters on Monday (6/4).
The declaration that money politics is haram, said Gus Lilur, is not merely a repetition of norms but a setting of direction. From there, the entire Congress process will be tested, whether it becomes a dignified election space or merely a transaction arena that endangers the organisation’s future.
“The most fundamental thing is to ensure that all Congress participants are not involved in money politics practices. Not receiving, not negotiating, let alone being part of its distribution, especially if the money comes from corruption practices. Because at that point, the issue no longer stops at ethical violations but transforms into legal and institutional risks,” he stressed.
Gus Lilur also warned that NU could be drawn into corruption networks, even potentially entering the vortex of money laundering crimes (TPPU). According to him, this is not an excessive assumption but a real consequence of the relationship between money, power, and law.
“Accepting money politics means not only selling votes but also mortgaging NU’s future. That awareness should lead to more decisive steps that from now on, PBNU must clean the organisation of those indicated to be involved in corruption practices,” he stated.
Gus Lilur said that NU cannot turn a blind eye to the fact that recently, NU’s image has been tarnished by issues intersecting with power governance, including in the alleged corruption case of Hajj pilgrimage management. Regardless of the ongoing legal process, he said, such cases have already damaged public perception.
“In a morals-based organisation like NU, public perception is the main capital. Therefore, the Congress must become a momentum to restore that trust. Not just with clarifications, but with the courage to conduct internal cleansing,” he said.
“NU must show that integrity is not just a slogan but a standard that is upheld. The way is to dismiss all people in the management who are indicated to be involved in corruption,” added this national entrepreneur from Situbondo.
Gus Lilur also revealed a more structural problem in NU, namely being used as a vehicle for political power. According to him, currently, NU is not only approached but also contested, so many politicians see NU as a base for legitimacy and mobilisation.
“They enter, network, then slowly direct the organisation according to their interests. The appointment of Syaifullah Yusuf (Gus Ipul) as Chairman of the OC Congress, in this context, cannot be separated from a broader reading. This is not about individuals, but about the boundaries between service and exploitation,” he said.
NU, said Gus Lilur, must firmly protect itself so as not to become a tool. He said that once NU loses its independence, it will no longer be the guardian of the nation’s morals but merely part of the power configuration.
“In the end, all this boils down to one fundamental question: who is worthy to lead NU? This Congress must become a momentum to return NU to ulama who are truly knowledgeable. Not just figures with political access, but those with depth of knowledge, clarity of vision, and moral steadfastness,” he stated.
Gus Lilur emphasised that NU was not founded by politicians. It was founded by ulama. According to him, only by returning to ulama who are authoritative in knowledge and morals can NU maintain its identity. When ulama are replaced by political logic, what is lost is not only direction but also the spirit of the organisation.
“The Grand Conference to be held on 25 April 2026 should become the opening path to that. An initial space to affirm that NU still has the awareness to care for itself, cleanse itself, and reorganise its journey,” he added.
Furthermore, Gus Lilur said that NU still wants and can stand as a pillar for the Republic of Indonesia, not merely a passenger in power, but also a supporter of a clean and integrity-filled state. Therefore, he said, this Congress is not only about who will be elected but about what values will be won.
“If what is won are values, then NU will remain upright as a moral force. But if what is won are interests, then what remains is a large organisation without direction. Therefore, amid all the dynamics that will take place, NU needs to return to one attitude that cannot be compromised: rejecting the haram and making it the foundation for a clean future,” he concluded.