JOMBANG, thekabarnews.com—President Prabowo Subianto opened Nahdlatul Ulama’s 35th Muktamar (congress) in Jombang, East Java, on Thursday, August 27. He used the event to honor Indonesia’s Islamic scholars and outline several government programs.

Prabowo formally opened the congress by striking a bedug at Untung Suropati Field in the Bahrul Ulum Islamic boarding school complex in Tambakberas.

The 35th Muktamar, NU’s highest decision-making forum, runs from August 27 to 31. It will determine the organization’s direction for the next five years.

“On this Thursday afternoon, August 27, 2026, by the grace of Almighty God, I, Prabowo Subianto, President of the Republic of Indonesia, officially open the Nahdlatul Ulama’s 35th Muktamar [congress],” Prabowo said.

Prabowo highlighted the historical role of Muslim scholars and Islamic boarding schools. Particularly, he referenced their role during the battle to defend Indonesia’s independence in Surabaya in 1945.

President Prabowo adapted founding president Sukarno’s “Jas Merah”—a reminder not to forget history—into a new phrase: “Jas Hijau.”

“If Bung Karno said ‘Jas Merah,’ never forget history, I want to say ‘Jas Hijau’: never forget the services of the ulama,” Prabowo said, according to the State Secretariat.

He also thanked village clerics whose daily work often goes unnoticed nationally.

“Thank you to all the ulama, both the well-known figures and the village kiai whose names may never appear on television, but who protect our children’s character every day,” he said.

Prabowo linked that contribution to Syubbanul Wathan, the patriotic song associated with KH Abdul Wahab Chasbullah.

NU historical accounts agree that the song predates independence, although sources differ over whether it originated in 1916 or 1934. Its lyrics urge Indonesians to love their homeland and “rise, my nation.”

Prabowo also used the speech to present his administration’s record.

“In less than two years, we have achieved major accomplishments. We have achieved food self-sufficiency, and soon we will achieve energy self-sufficiency,” he said.

Prabowo said Indonesia would gradually reduce its reliance on imported fuel. He did not provide a deadline or supporting production figures during the speech.

The president also claimed that the Free Meals (MBG) program had reached well over 62 million beneficiaries. The government’s 2026 technical plan aims eventually to serve 82.9 million recipients through 35,000 to 40,000 meal-service units, according to the National Nutrition Agency.

“MBG is a major program. It still faces many challenges and shortcomings, but we will resolve them,” Prabowo said, adding that children, women in pregnancy and older people must receive its benefits.

Prabowo also pledged additional interactive classroom screens for NU schools and pesantren.

The commitments placed education and public nutrition alongside his central message. The government considers cooperation with NU and grassroots religious leaders important to its national agenda.