Prabowo Returns to Jombang for NU Congress Closing Ceremony
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has travelled to Jombang Regency, East Java, to attend the closing ceremony of the 35th Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Congress on Monday (31/8).
Prabowo and a limited delegation are scheduled to arrive at Juanda International Airport, Sidoarjo Regency, at approximately 09:30 WIB. Following his arrival, Prabowo will continue his journey to the Bahrul Ulum Tambakberas Islamic Boarding School in Jombang Regency.
Accompanying Prabowo on his trip to East Java are the Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Zulkifli Hasan, State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi, Foreign Minister Sugiono, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlast Lahadalia, and Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya.
Prabowo previously attended the opening of the NU Congress held last Friday (27/8). In his address, Prabowo stated that NU is a historic institution that played a significant role in the nation’s struggle for independence.
“It is a great honour for me; Nahdlatul Ulama is a historic institution with immense contributions to the struggle for the independence of the Republic of Indonesia,” said Prabowo.
Prabowo even admitted that he would never have become the President of Indonesia without the support of Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah. He expressed that, as President, his focus remains on continuously strengthening and empowering Nahdlatul Ulama in the future.
He also noted that for the Indonesian nation to progress, the government must maintain a close relationship with NU and Muhammadiyah. “As President, as the people’s mandate holder, it is clear that without the support of NU and Muhammadiyah, it would have been impossible for me to become the people’s mandate holder,” said Prabowo.
The NU Congress has officially appointed KH Abdul Hakim Mahfudz, also known as Gus Kikin, as the General Chairman of the Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board (PBNU) for the 2026-2031 term. Gus Kikin was elected through the AHWA mechanism after receiving written endorsement from the elected Rais Aam and securing the highest number of votes from congress delegates, with 472 votes, surpassing four other candidates during the 5th Plenary Session of the 35th NU Congress.
The AHWA meeting was conducted privately at Ndalem Kasepuhan from 06:20 WIB to 07:00 WIB. The minutes of the appointment of Gus Kikin as General Chairman were signed by nine clerics who are members of the AHWA, including KH Nurul Huda Dazuli, TGK KH Nuruzzahri Yahya, KH Baharuddin HS, KH Miftakhul Akhyar (the elected Rais Aam), KH Afifuddin Muhajir, KH Anwar Iskandar, KH Anwar Manshur, KH Said Aqil Siradj, and KH Abun Bunyamin.
Previously, the five names receiving the most support for the PBNU General Chairman position were Gus Kikin with 472 votes, 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.
Gus Kikin was born on 17 August 1958. He is the great-grandson of the NU founder, Hadratussyekh KH Hasyim Asy’ari. He is the caretaker of the Tebuireng Islamic Boarding School in Jombang, succeeding the leadership of his uncle, KH Salahuddin Wahid, also known as Gus Sholah, who passed away in 2020.