PBNU Deputy Secretary General Reveals AHWA Rule Change Proposal Originated from Central Java PWNU

Wakil Sekretaris Jenderal PBNU, KH Suleman Tanjung, has confirmed that a proposal to change the provisions regarding Ahlul Halli wal Aqdi (AHWA) originated from the Central Java Regional Board (PWNU) and was submitted to the Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board (PBNU). The proposal was sent via the Digdaya application on 26 May 2026, with letter number 290/PW.01/A.I.01.99/14/06/2026 concerning Proposed Materials for the 2026 National Conference of Alim Ulama and Grand Conference of NU. “This is not an idea from the SC or OC team; it is an idea from PWNU Central Java that was submitted through Digdaya,” Suleman Tanjung said in a statement on Sunday (21/6). In its proposal, PWNU Central Java expressed the view that if the AHWA is to determine the leadership of Nahdlatul Ulama, then the ulama eligible to be elected as AHWA members should appropriately come from among the ulama within the structure of the Nahdlatul Ulama organisation. Consequently, PWNU Central Java proposed changes to the criteria for ulama who can be elected as AHWA members. Suleman noted that the proposal can be read on pages 36-37 of the PWNU Central Java submission document. He lamented that the proposal has since developed into a polemic and has been framed as an attempt by the conference committee to sideline or not accommodate senior kiai in the AHWA mechanism. “If there is an attempt to sideline senior kiai, then it is the proposer who is responsible. Interestingly, this proposal was signed by the Rais Syuriah of PWNU Central Java. Everyone knows which side he is on,” he said. Suleman stated that debate over the substance of the proposal is normal within the organisation, but he urged that discussions be conducted clearly and based on documents, not on assumptions or framing that could worsen the atmosphere ahead of the National Conference of Alim Ulama and Grand Conference. He concluded that the proposed additional requirement for AHWA members to be Syuriah administrators and based on regional representation must be cancelled.