PBNU Says Nias Branch Has Yet to Explain Rp250 Million Handover to KPK
Nahdlatul Ulama's central board was still awaiting an explanation from its Nias branch on October 24, 2026, about Rp250 million it handed to Indonesia's Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). Deputy Chairman Saifullah Yusuf, known as Gus Ipul, said investigators must establish whether the money is connected to vote-buying or corruption.
Deadline for two branches
Gus Ipul gave the update after the inauguration of Central Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) officials on Saturday. A day earlier, he had given the Nias and Sekadau branches seven days to explain to PBNU the matters they had reported to the KPK concerning alleged vote-buying at the NU Congress.
Announcing that deadline at the Ministry of Social Affairs office in Salemba, Central Jakarta, on October 23, he said both branches needed to provide supporting evidence, not merely opinions.
On Saturday, Gus Ipul described the handover as a sensitive matter. He said returning money to the KPK could indicate that it represented proceeds of corruption, but stressed that this had to be thoroughly proven. He reiterated PBNU's support for the KPK's anti-corruption work, including its handling of the reported vote-buying allegations.
"We support the KPK in completing this process so it is clear and not ambiguous," he said.
He also asked NU branch officials with information about suspected flows of corrupt funds to submit it to PBNU with evidence. The board would follow up on substantiated reports, he said, while officials making unsupported accusations could face organizational sanctions, including suspension of a branch administration or penalties against those responsible.
KPK examining the money's origin
PCNU Nias delivered the Rp250 million to the KPK on October 16, according to Tribun Medan. In statements on October 20-21, KPK spokesperson Budi Prasetyo said the branch had handed it over voluntarily and investigators subsequently seized it for use in handling the case.
Budi said the agency would examine where the money came from and whether it was connected to a corruption case at the Ministry of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/National Land Agency (ATR/BPN). If investigators find no connection, the money may be returned to the party that surrendered it.
The ATR/BPN case began with a KPK operation, known as an OTT, in the Jabodetabek area on September 14. It concerns suspected bribery in the handling of a Hak Guna Bangunan, or building-use right, permit in Bogor Regency. Republika Online reported that the KPK named eight suspects and seized approximately Rp106.3 billion in cash held in rupiah and foreign currencies.
Other payments reported to investigators
Sekadau's branch had handed the KPK Rp40 million in cash on October 7 in connection with alleged money politics at the 35th NU Congress, Tribun Medan reported.
A separate Rp40 million handover followed on October 23. A legal team representing a Rais Syuriah of an NU branch in Java brought the cash to the KPK, describing it as an alleged bribe, or riswah, intended to influence the naming of candidates for the Ahlul Halli wal Aqdi (AHWA) at the congress.
Lawyer Abdul Hakim said the team also provided a chronology, an official report and written testimony alleging bribery and intimidation of the Rais Syuriah. According to Hakim, his client had also received bank transfers of Rp10 million and Rp16 million.
Unproven allegations surrounding the congress
Suara.com traced the controversy to claims by Khalilur R Abdullah Sahlawiy, known as Gus Lilur, that Rp480 billion had flowed into the 35th NU Congress. He alleged a connection to the Bogor land-corruption case involving ATR/BPN Minister Nusron Wahid and claimed that the money traveled from Jakarta to Jombang in two Toyota Land Cruisers transported by tow truck. Those allegations have not been proven.
The congress took place August 27-31, 2026, at Pondok Pesantren Bahrul Ulum in Tambakberas, Jombang, East Java. It designated KH Miftachul Akhyar as PBNU's Rais Aam and KH Abdul Hakim Mahfudz, known as Gus Kikin, as chairman, or Ketua Umum Tanfidziyah, for the 2026-2031 term. The decision was reached by consensus among the nine AHWA members.
Before the congress, PBNU issued an integrity pact, or Pakta Integritas. Article 26 required all participants to sign a pledge rejecting money politics; Article 27 applied the pact to AHWA members and candidates for Rais Aam and chairman; and Article 28 specified consequences for violations.