IN his empty office, devoid of electronics and wall decorations, Nahdlatul Ulama Central Board (PBNU) General Chairman Yahya Cholil Staquf repeatedly underlined the political line of the organization. He affirmed that he would distance the Nadlatul Ulama (NU) from practical politics, including by no longer giving privilege to the organization’s child, the National Awakening Party (PKB).

“Distancing NU from practical p...