AS Hikam urges 35th Muktamar to restore NU moral role
He warned in a Jakarta discussion that ties to power and legal cases involving members signal governance problems.
Muhammad AS Hikam said the 35th Muktamar of Nahdlatul Ulama needs to produce progressive leadership that restores the organization’s relevance as the nation’s moral and intellectual force. In the discussion “Mencari Format Ideal Kepemimpinan NU” in Jakarta on Friday (31/7/2026), Hikam said NU has seen a decline in its role as a source of ideas over the past five years and has moved further away from the paradigm of Abdurrahman Wahid or Gus Dur. He said closeness to power and legal cases involving members are warnings about the organization’s governance. According to Hikam, continuing the Gus Dur paradigm requires NU to remain independent, critical and a center of fikrah in responding to social issues and democratization. The discussion also featured Hanief Saha Ghafur and Faris Fuad Hasyim.