NU Leader Threatens Legal Action Over Rp480 Billion Scandal Allegations

The issue of alleged illicit fund transfers amounting to Rp480 billion during the 35th Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) congress in Jombang, East Java, is escalating. Saifullah Yusuf, also known as Gus Ipul, the Secretary General of the Nahdlatul Ulama Central Board (PBNU) for the 2021-2026 period, has confirmed his intention to take legal action against individuals he believes are spreading unverified accusations. Gus Ipul stated that a legal notice, or somasi, will be issued to three individuals next week. If their clarifications are not factual or if the notice is ignored, the matter will proceed to legal proceedings. "The somasi will be given next week. Yes, it seems we will bring it to legal process," Gus Ipul said in Makassar on Friday, September 25, 2026. He has not yet revealed the identities of the three individuals, stating that his team is still conducting further investigations with legal advisors. Gus Ipul explained that the somasi is the initial step to request clarification or tabayun regarding the widely circulated statements. "Somasi is the initial stage, whether there will be clarification or not. If the clarification is not in line with the facts, then we will take legal action," he added. The allegations surfaced after Khalilur R Abdullah Sahlawiy, or Gus Lilur, claimed that Rp480 billion allegedly moved towards the 35th NU congress venue at Bahrul Ulum Islamic Boarding School, Tambakberas, Jombang. In a podcast on September 22, 2026, Gus Lilur claimed to have received informal information from an investigator at the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). He mentioned that two Toyota Land Cruiser vehicles transported the money from Jakarta to Jombang using towing vehicles. Gus Lilur also linked a portion of the funds to Minister of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/National Land Agency (ATR/BPN) Nusron Wahid, stating that Rp180 billion was related to Nusron, while the remainder allegedly came from two institutions he referred to as institutions P and B. These claims subsequently circulated on social media and in news reports. Furthermore, Gus Lilur recounted stories about several black bags allegedly containing money circulating around the NU congress arena. He even mentioned that some parties returned the bags, including one that was reportedly returned to Gus Ipul. Gus Ipul has denied these narratives, asserting that accusations of corrupt funds flowing into the NU congress must be accompanied by accountable evidence.