Prof Nasaruddin Umar's Name Surfaces Ahead of PBNU Congress, Here's What Gus Ipul Says

Saifullah Yusuf, Secretary General of the Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board (PBNU), has named Religious Affairs Minister Prof KH Nasaruddin Umar as one of the figures with the potential to become the organisation’s General Chairman. He made the statement after attending a readiness parade at Al Falah Ploso Islamic Boarding School in Kediri, East Java, on Tuesday (16/6).

Gus Ipul, as he is familiarly known, explained that Prof Nasaruddin Umar’s prospects can be assessed by examining PBNU’s leadership history over recent decades. He noted that several previous General Chairmen served as Katib Aam of PBNU before being entrusted with leading the organisation.

‘He is one of those with potential. If we look back since the era of Gus Dur, at least over the last 40 years, three PBNU General Chairmen previously served as Katib Aam,’ Gus Ipul stated in a written release on Tuesday (16/6/2026).

He cited KH Abdurrahman Wahid, widely known as Gus Dur, KH Said Aqil Siroj, and KH Yahya Cholil Staquf, or Gus Yahya, as having all held the Katib Aam position before becoming General Chairman. ‘Gus Dur was Katib Aam before becoming General Chairman. Then Kiai Said was also Katib Aam before becoming General Chairman. Most recently, Gus Yahya was also Katib Aam. Now, Prof Nasaruddin Umar was also Katib Aam,’ he explained.

Beyond the Katib Aam route, Gus Ipul also mentioned other positions that historically offer a path to the chairmanship. He referred to KH Idham Chalid, who served as PBNU Secretary General before becoming General Chairman, and KH Hasyim Muzadi, who previously chaired the East Java Regional Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PWNU).

‘If we look at the statistics, those who have been Secretary General have potential. Those who have chaired PWNU East Java also have potential. Those who have been Katib Aam also have potential,’ he added.

However, Gus Ipul firmly stated that he will not enter the race for General Chairman and would refuse any attempt to nominate him. ‘I am the Secretary General, but I have clearly stated that I am not running and do not wish to be nominated. Both, I do not want to run and do not want to be nominated,’ he stressed.

He said Prof Nasaruddin Umar’s name has increasingly been mentioned during communications with various regions. Nevertheless, he emphasised that the decision regarding the candidate for PBNU General Chairman remains within the mechanism of the Muktamar.

‘As I travelled around to several regions, Prof Nasaruddin’s name was indeed mentioned. But beyond that, it will depend on the Muktamar,’ Gus Ipul concluded.