Gus Yahya Denounces Dismissal Decision, Insists Only Congress Holds the Power

Jakarta: Yahya Cholil Staquf, also known as Gus Yahya, stated that the decision to dismiss him as Chairman of the Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) Executive Board in Circular Letter No. 4785/PB.02/A.II.10.01/99/11/2025 was an unconstitutional procedure. He emphasized that the decision of the PBNU Syuriah daily meeting lacked the authority to do so.

"The process carried out by several parties, in this case the Syuriah daily meeting, which declared my dismissal, is unconstitutional and unacceptable because the Syuriah does not have the authority to do so," Gus Yahya said in Jakarta, as quoted by Antara, Wednesday, November 26, 2025.

He emphasized that the PBNU General Chairman can only be dismissed through a Congress, which is a fundamental rule of the PBNU organization.

"The discussion surrounding me in that meeting was also completely unacceptable because I was prohibited from attending to provide clarification, even though other meeting participants requested my presence, but all were refused," Gus Yahya explained.

According to him, the decision at the Syuriah meeting was unacceptable because it unilaterally decided on a policy beyond his authority.

"Therefore, to this day, constitutionally, I remain in my position as general chairman in accordance with my effective function, and the de facto leadership at all levels, both within the PBNU and down to the PCNU, all still follow normal working procedures," he explained.

Circular Letter Number 4785/PB.02/A.II.10.01/99/11/2025, signed by the Deputy Rais Aam of PBNU, Afifuddin Muhajir, and the Khatib of PBNU, Ahmad Tajul Mafakir, stated that Gus Yahya no longer holds the status of General Chairperson, effective November 26, 2025. Based on this decision, Yahya Cholil Staquf no longer has the authority and right to use the attributes, facilities, and/or other things associated with the position of General Chairperson of PBNU.

The letter also stated that in order to fulfill the provisions and mechanisms stipulated in Article 7 Paragraph (4) of the Nahdlatul Ulama Association Regulation Number 10 of 2025 concerning Meetings, Article 8 letters a and b of the Nahdlatul Ulama Association Regulation Number 13 of 2025 concerning Dismissal of Functionaries, Interim Replacement and Delegation of Functions of Positions, as well as the Regulation of the Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board Number: 01/X/2023 concerning Guidelines for Dismissal of Administrators, Interim Replacement of Administrators, and Delegation of Functions of Positions at the Nahdlatul Ulama Association, the PBNU will immediately hold a Plenary Meeting.