Nahdlatul Ulama factions demand total PBNU overhaul and push for 35th Muktamar in Jakarta

Regional (PWNU) and branch (PCNU) leaders of Indonesia’s largest Islamic organization, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), have called for a complete reform of the central board (PBNU). They argue that internal conflicts and verbal clashes among PBNU elites have eroded unity and cite the need for fresh leadership. The factions also request that the 35th NU Muktamar be held in Jakarta, citing limited preparation time before the scheduled date.

The demands were voiced during the Konferensi Besar (Konbes) and Musyawarah Nasional (Munas) held in Ploso, Kediri from 20‑22 June 2026, where delegates reported heated debates that strained organisational cohesion. Additionally, Dr. Amin Mudzakir, deputy secretary of the NU scholars’ association (ISNU), criticized PBNU’s current political approach, urging a redefinition of its civil‑society role to emphasize professional and technocratic participation rather than solely electoral pathways.

These calls reflect growing pressure within NU to address leadership, governance, and the organization’s engagement with the state ahead of the upcoming Muktamar.