Social Affairs Minister Yusuf: Nasaruddin Umar Worthy Candidate for PBNU Chairman

Indonesian Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf, also the Secretary of the Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board (PBNU), has identified Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar as a strong contender for the PBNU chairmanship ahead of the upcoming Muktamar NU.

Yusuf, commonly known as Gus Ipul, expressed his view in Kediri, East Java, on Tuesday. He pointed out that several names are being discussed publicly for the top PBNU position, with Nasaruddin Umar being one of them. Umar has previously served as Katib Aam of PBNU.

"If we look back to Gus Dur's era, at least in the last 40 years, the three previous chairmen had served as Katib Aam," Yusuf stated. He explained that former President Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur), Said Aqil Siradj, and Yahya Cholil Staquf all held the Katib Aam role before being elected as PBNU Chairman. Yusuf added that Nasaruddin Umar also served as Katib Aam during the leadership of the late KH Sahal Mahfudz.