Gus Yahya No Longer Serves as Chairman of PBNU, Herwin Sudikta: Must Return to Da’wah, Not Mining

FAJAR.CO.ID, JAKARTA — Social media activist, Herwin Sudikta, responded to the news that Gus Yahya will no longer serve as General Chair of PBNU as of November 26 2026.

He said that the end of the leadership period was an important momentum for the Nahdlatul Ulama organization to return to its teachings.

Herwin said that during Gus Yahya’s leadership, PBNU often appeared in public not because of achievements, but because of controversy.

According to him, the reputation of the largest Islamic organization in Indonesia was tarnished by a number of polemics.

“After trying to defend himself with all his defenses, Gus Yahya finally had to relinquish his position,” said Herwin to dawn.co.id, Wednesday (26/11/2025).

“Under his leadership, PBNU often made headlines for its noise rather than its example,” he added.

Herwin also touched on the case involving Gus Yahya’s younger brother, which he said contributed to worsening the organization’s image.

“Not to mention the case of his younger brother which made the public facepalm. Not because of the drama, but because the reputation of an organization as big as PBNU was tarnished,” he stressed.

He emphasized that it is time for PBNU to refocus on its social and religious role, and move away from pragmatic matters.

“That’s enough! PBNU must return to the spirit of preaching, not become a field for interests,” he stressed.

“Return it to the people, not to the mines,” he said.

Previously, Rais Aam, Miftachul Akhyar as the highest leader of Nahdlatul Ulama was trusted to fill the vacancy in the position of General Chair of the Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board (PBNU), after KH Yahya Cholil Staqut was dismissed.