NU Denounces Unauthorized Group’s Report Against Comedian Pandji Pragiwaksono
A faction claiming affiliation with Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) filed a police complaint against comedian Pandji Pragiwaksono,but teh organization’s leadership has swiftly distanced itself from the action,highlighting the challenges of maintaining control over a vast and open membership.
A group identifying itself as the NU Youth Force reported stand-up comedian Pandji Pragiwaksono to the Polda Metro Jaya on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, alleging defamation and incitement related to his recent comedy routine. However, a senior official within the Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) Executive board, KH Ulil Abshar Abdalla, emphatically stated on Thursday, January 8, 2026, that this group is not sanctioned by, nor affiliated with, the central NU leadership. “The depiction of PBNU is clearly not,” Gus Ulil asserted.
The controversy stems from pragiwaksono’s stand-up material in his “Mens Rea” show, where he discussed the Indonesian government’s granting of mining concessions to religious organizations, specifically mentioning NU and Muhammadiyah. According to Rizki Abdul Rahman Wahid, representing the NU Youth Force Presidium, Pragiwaksono’s characterization of the concessions as a “reward” was damaging to NU’s reputation. “In our opinion, he humiliates, slanders, and tends to create a commotion in the media and divide the nation,” Wahid stated in a broadcast on Kompas TV.
However, Gus Ulil explained that the open and expansive nature of NU inevitably leads to the formation of numerous independent groups and movements operating under the organization’s name.”As NU is open, anyone can create an institution in the name of NU,” he said, adding that many such groups are frequently enough short-lived and spontaneous, sometimes existing for only a matter of hours. This lack of centralized control presents ongoing challenges for the organization in maintaining a unified public image.
Beyond the immediate dispute, Gus Ulil underscored the vital role of humor in society, expressing regret that a comedian is facing legal repercussions for simply doing his job. “We need a lot of laughter in this country.It would be a shame if a comedian who makes a lot of people laugh has to be reported to law enforcement. Humor is koentji,” he remarked.
Wahid, speaking on behalf of the NU Youth Force, argued that Pragiwaksono’s comments were particularly offensive given NU’s long history of contributions to Indonesia, dating back to before independence, through its network of Islamic boarding schools, mosques, and educational initiatives. He felt personally aggrieved, stating, “As a young Nahdlatul Ulama activist, I feel aggrieved by his statement which conveyed that NU was involved in practical politics and then received rewards in the form of mining.”
Pragiwaksono,who relocated to New York city in 2022,reportedly addressed the issue of “politics of retribution” in his routine,questioning why religious organizations like NU and Muhammadiyah were granted mining concessions. He noted that other religious groups had declined such offers, with the HKBP (Huria Kristen Batak Protestan) reportedly citing the complexities of managing mining operations.
The incident highlights a growing tension between public figures exercising their right to free expression and the sensitivities of religious and political organizations navigating a complex socio-political landscape. The P
