The leadership of Pondok Pesantren Ali Maksum Krapyak in Yogyakarta supports the Pengurus Besar Nahdlatul Ulama plenary session on December 9-10, 2025, to find a new general chairman replacing Yahya Cholil Staquf, or Gus Yahya. This support was conveyed via an official letter, while the PBNU General Secretary states the meeting is organizationally invalid.
The leadership controversy at Pengurus Besar Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) intensifies ahead of the plenary session on December 9-10, 2025. The head of Pondok Pesantren Ali Maksum Krapyak in Yogyakarta, where Gus Yahya studied, expressed full support via a letter dated December 7, 2025, signed by KH. Khoirul Fuad Ahmad. "We give full support to the PBNU Plenary on December 9-10, 2025, in taking steps for the good of all," said Gus Khoirul. He emphasized that PBNU, as the highest body of Jam’iyyah Nahdlatul Ulama, must not be sacrificed for certain interests. "Therefore, PBNU must be maintained and stand firm, protected from neglect and greater harm," he stated. Gus Khoirul urged all parties to respect the advice of elders and Jam’iyyah decisions for organizational obedience and NU's unity.
PBNU Mustasyar, TGH Muhammad Turmudzi Badaruddin, also supports the Syuriyah PBNU's decision to dismiss Gus Yahya. "To all scholars, habaib, religious leaders, Nahdliyin society, and Indonesian society, on behalf of H. M. Turmudzi Badaruddin, I support the Rais 'Aam decision. Because the Rais 'Aam is the highest in the organization," he said.
On the other hand, PBNU General Secretary Amin Said Husni affirmed that the Pengurus Besar Syuriyah version of the plenary is invalid. He stated it violates the NU Articles of Association (ART) and the 34th Muktamar decisions. "This is not just non-procedural. The agenda directly clashes with the organization's highest decision, the Muktamar," said Amin. Key reasons include: the November 20, 2025, Syuriyah Daily Meeting decision exceeding authority (Article 93 ART NU), the meeting must be led by Rais Aam and the general chairman (Article 58 paragraph 2 letter c and Article 64 ART NU), and no basis for appointing an acting general chairman since Gus Yahya is not permanently impeded (Perkum 13 Article 4 paragraph 1). "If any agenda directly clashes with the Muktamar decision, it is a serious violation in this jamiyah," he added.
Gus Yahya himself insists he still holds the position of PBNU General Chairman amid the impeachment polemic. On December 3, 2025, he stated readiness to pursue legal channels if musyawarah is rejected. "We will defend this as strongly as possible... yes, we are ready to take legal routes to maintain the integrity of this organizational structure," he said in a press conference at PBNU Headquarters, Central Jakarta.