Mastering PBNU Does Not Mean Mastering NU Votes

Indonesian President Prabowo officially closed the 35th NU Congress held at Bahrul Ulum Islamic Boarding School in Tambakberas, Jombang, East Java, on August 31, 2026. Laily Rachev/Biro Pers Sekretariat Presiden, CC BY. NU members have diverse political choices, not a single voting bloc. NU's strength lies in its extensive social and organizational networks.

Mastering PBNU does not automatically mean mastering the political choices of NU members. The 35th Congress of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) in Jombang, East Java, produced new leadership. Abdul Hakim Mahfudz, or Gus Kikin, was elected as General Chairman of the NU Executive Board (PBNU) for the 2026–2031 period, accompanying Miftachul Akhyar who returned as Rais Aam.

President Prabowo Subianto's presence at the opening and closing of the Congress shows how important NU is for political elites. Throughout Indonesia's political history, NU with its very large social base has often been treated as an electoral force that can determine the direction of Indonesian politics. However, is it true that if someone masters NU leadership, they automatically master the votes of NU voters?