Yahya Cholil Staquf. Photo : PBNU.
JAKARTA, JAKTIMES.COM — Internal tensions within Indonesia’s largest Islamic organization, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), have reached a new peak as the Syuriyah (Supreme Council) of the central board officially removed Yahya Cholil Staquf, widely known as Gus Yahya, from his post as Chairman of PBNU effective early Wednesday, 26 November 2025.
The decision was stated in Circular Letter No. 4785/PB.02/A.II.10.01/99/11/2025, signed by PBNU Deputy Rais Aam KH Afifuddin Muhajir and Katib PBNU Ahmad Tajul Mafakhir.
The letter declares that “Yahya Cholil Staquf is no longer the Chairman of PBNU as of 26 November 2025 at 00:45 WIB,” effectively revoking all authority, attributes of office, and rights to act on behalf of PBNU.
Circular Letter or Dismissal Letter?
Although widely circulated as a dismissal decree, Tajul Mafakhir offered a different explanation. He confirmed signing the document but insisted it was not a formal dismissal letter.
“It is a PBNU Circular Letter, not a Dismissal Letter. The form is different,” Tajul said, noting that his comments were made in a personal capacity and did not represent the institution.
Background: Decision of the Syuriyah Council Meeting
The removal follows a Syuriyah Daily Council Meeting held on 20 November 2025, where a majority—37 of 53 council members—concluded that Gus Yahya had committed a serious violation.
The alleged violation concerns the appearance of a speaker deemed to have ties with international Zionist networks at an event organized by the NU National Leadership Academy (AKN NU). The council ruled that the act contravened the principles of Ahlussunnah wal Jamaah An-Nahdliyah and the Muqaddimah Qanun Asasi NU.
Syuriyah gave Gus Yahya a three-day ultimatum to resign, which he ignored.
“I have no intention of resigning. The congress entrusted me with a five-year mandate,” Gus Yahya said in Surabaya on 23 November 2025.
Rejected Delivery of Official Documents
The circular further states that Deputy Rais Aam KH Afifuddin Muhajir personally handed over the Syuriyah decision documents to Gus Yahya at the Mercure Ancol Hotel on 21 November 2025. However, the documents were later returned.
Gus Yahya had also acknowledged receiving the official letter via PBNU’s digital correspondence system, Digdaya. With all administrative procedures fulfilled, Syuriyah declared the dismissal legally valid.
Chairmanship Vacant, Rais Aam Assumes Authority
With the chairmanship now vacant, leadership of PBNU falls fully under the Rais Aam, the organization’s highest authority.
Syuriyah PBNU has also called for an immediate Plenary Meeting, in accordance with NU Organizational Regulations No. 10/2025 and No. 13/2025.
Gus Yahya Can Still File a Dispute
Despite his removal, Gus Yahya retains the right to challenge the decision. He may file a dispute petition with the NU Arbitration Council (Majelis Tahkim NU), as stipulated in NU Regulation No. 14/2025 on internal conflict resolution.
As of publication time, The Jakarta Times (Jaktimes.com) has not received a response from Gus Yahya regarding his dismissal. (Marwan Aziz)