Savic Ali Admits Mining Interests Triggered PBNU Conflict

The Chairman of the Executive Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU), Mohamad Syafi’ Alielha (Savic Ali), has confirmed that mining factors have acted as a trigger for conflict within the PBNU internal structure. However, he emphasised that the issue of mining concession permits is only a small part of the complex web of conflicts occurring within the organisation.

“I do not believe it is the sole reason; there is a mining factor, yes, okay, there is a mining factor,” he stated during a Kompas.com Gaspol podcast, as reported on Monday (18/5/2026).

He echoed statements made by another PBNU Chairman, Ulil Absar Abdala, regarding partners involved in managing PBNU-owned mining concessions. Due to these offers, PBNU Secretary Saifullah Yusuf—who is aligned with the faction of Rais Aam Miftachul Akhyar—is believed to have felt uncomfortable when external parties approached the organisation without being part of his faction.

“There may be a sense of insecurity because there are other parties who, in essence, are not trying to take over but are offering themselves as partners,” he said. “In managing affairs, there are many aspects, such as management, infrastructure, transportation, and various other matters.”

He added that character traits also play a role. Savic identified these factors as underlying causes for the recent demand for Gus Yahya to step down as General Chairman of PBNU, a demand that was personally signed by Kiai Miftachul Akhyar.

According to Savic, there are many reasons why the Rais Aam and the PBNU Chairman appear to belong to different factions. “Perhaps the Rais Aam is of the type of elder who believes that ‘a child must obey their parent’; the Rais Aam has repeatedly spoken about the principle of ‘sami’na wa atho’na’ (we hear and we obey),” he said. Conversely, he noted that Gus Yahya’s character is based on rational consideration, which is perceived as subversive within the NU tradition of following religious scholars.