The President, NU's Second Century, and the 'Palace Package'

The Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Congress is the most highly attended event compared to other organisational congresses, as many parties outside of NU have interests, and even those who do not understand NU involve themselves.

Furthermore, the 35th NU Congress, held at the Bahrul Ulum Islamic Boarding School in Tambakberas, Jombang, East Java, from 27–31 August 2026, differs somewhat from previous congresses. The election of the top leadership at the PBNU, held in Tambakberas, was both opened and closed by President Prabowo Subianto.

While opening the congress on 27 August 2026, President Prabowo Subianto introduced an interesting phrase, namely ‘jas hijau’ (green jacket), meaning one should never forget the services of the ulama (religious scholars). This sentiment was reinforced by the President with the phrase ‘jas merah’ (red jacket) associated with Bung Karno.

The ‘jas hijau’ phrase viralised by the President seems to complete the reality that while Indonesia’s independence was indeed proclaimed in Jakarta, the true test of independence broke out in Surabaya, in a battle paid for with the blood and lives of the santri militia under the banner of the 1945 Jihad Resolution.

Not only that, Prabowo also appreciated NU’s role in the history of Indonesia’s struggle. For him, NU is an organisation that has played a great role in the struggle for independence and national life. Prabowo cited the song ‘Syubbanul Wathan’, composed by KH Abdul Wahab Chasbullah, as a symbol of national spirit within the NU environment. This patriotic song demonstrates NU’s desire for Indonesia to be independent and rise.

Due to NU’s great services, the government needs to build strong relationships with mass organisations (ormas) such as NU and Muhammadiyah. Therefore, ‘jas hijau’ (do not forget the services of the ulama) is President Prabowo’s hope that the role of the ulama in NU’s second century will continue to maintain the character of the nation’s children, as well as preserve harmony and peace.

When closing the 35th NU Congress on 31 August and receiving the Nahdlatul Ulama membership card (Karta-NU), President Prabowo stated that the organisation has set an example as a mass organisation with millions of members that can conduct a congress peacefully and harmoniously. Consequently, the President also ‘captured’ the message from the Rais Aam of PBNU, KH Miftachul Akhbar, to focus on efforts to lift as many people as possible out of poverty, certainly by working together with NU.

‘The Palace Package’

The President’s presence to open and close the congress has sparked rumours circulating among thousands of NU officials across Indonesia and representatives of several special branches (PCI), such as a ‘palace package’ in the nomination of NU leaders, even though the congress in NU’s second century uses the AHWA system.

What many observers do not know is that AHWA, or Ahlul Halli Wal ‘Aqdi (those capable of resolving complex issues into a unified, high-quality, and binding decision), or ’musyawarah mufakat’ (deliberation for consensus), is the method used to elect who is fit to serve as the Rais Aam Syuriah and the General Chairperson of Tanfidziyah.

Is there truly a ‘palace package’? If the observers spreading this issue knew the actual matter, they certainly would not have reached such a conclusion, because this political issue only emerged about a week before the congress and continued into the congress forums, whereas the AHWA system has been in place since 2015, during the 33rd Congress.

So, is the issue that emerged a week prior more justifiable than a system that has been running for 11 years? If there is a similarity in the ‘final result’ between a one-week-old issue and an 11-year-old system, it is likely merely a coincidence, all occurring within the process of destiny.

This means that the similarity in the ‘final result’ cannot immediately be concluded as a ‘palace package’ as rumoured, because the process of reaching an agreement through AHWA is very lengthy, and the practice of AHWA in the 35th NU Congress cannot be simplified by the term ‘palace package’.

The AHWA process proposed at the 33rd NU Congress (2015) was eventually accepted but only applied to the election of the Rais Aam, whereas AHWA for the election of the Rais Aam alongside the election of the General Chairperson was only accepted during the 35th NU Congress.