The chair of the 35th Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Congress organizing committee, Saifullah Yusuf (Gus Ipul), has dismissed rumors of a pre-arranged pairing of KH Abdul Hakim Mahfudz (Gus Kikin) for Chairman and KH Miftachul Akhyar for General Secretary being orchestrated by the Presidential Palace. Gus Ipul firmly stated there has been no intervention from the Palace in the ongoing NU congress. This clarification addresses speculation surrounding potential influence in the selection of NU’s new leadership. The statement aims to assure the independence and integrity of the Muktamar process. He emphasized the congress is being conducted openly and democratically, free from external pressure. These assurances are crucial for maintaining the NU’s autonomy and its members’ trust in the leadership selection.