Kyai (religious scholars), held a meeting at the Langitan Pesantren (Islamic boarding school) to discuss several problems facing Indonesia they deemed to be critical.

They developed an official statement, which Kyai Muchid Muzadi of Jember and Gus Yusuf Muhammad, were sent to deliver to President Suharto.

On 30 May 1998, the Kyai held a grand meeting, or Istighosah, at the office of the East Java branch of the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Islamic organization.

The meeting resulted in KH Cholil Bisri being urged to form a party based on the NU's political aspirations.

After initially resisting their request, due to his desire to continue his work with the pesantren, Bisri eventually relented and accepted the leadership role.

Relationship of National Awakening Party and Nahdlatul Ulama became worsened due to differences in political stance during 2024 Indonesian general election.

Due to this, Nahdlatul Ulama Central Committee announced plan for taking over the National Awakening Party leadership on 26 July 2024.