Vietnamese crab exporterdouble-skinned crabsexellent crab

Agus and Moeldoko Extend Olive Branch with Symbolic Handshake in Jokowi's Cabinet Meeting

Mita Amalia Hapsari
February 26, 2024 | 11:25 am
SHARE
Minister of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (right) shaking hands with Presidential Chief of Staff Moeldoko (left) before President Joko Widodo's cabinet meeting on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024. (Beritasatu.com/Mita Amalia Hapsari)
Minister of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (right) shaking hands with Presidential Chief of Staff Moeldoko (left) before President Joko Widodo's cabinet meeting on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024. (Beritasatu.com/Mita Amalia Hapsari)

Jakarta. President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo conducted a full cabinet meeting at the State Palace on Monday, where an interesting interaction unfolded between newly-appointed Minister of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, affectionately known as AHY, and Presidential Chief of Staff Moeldoko.

As the meeting approached, AHY and Moeldoko were seen shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries for a few seconds, capturing the attention of the media covering the event.

For years, Moeldoko and Agus have been entangled in public disputes, centered around Moeldoko challenging the legitimacy of Agus as the Democratic Party's chairman. The conflict escalated when Moeldoko organized an alternative congress for the party, rallying dissatisfied members who subsequently elected him as chairman through acclamation.

Before the handshake, AHY was engaged in a conversation with the Chief Security Minister Hadi Tjahjanto. Observing Moeldoko behind AHY, Hadi extended his handshake, followed by AHY shaking hands with Moeldoko.

ADVERTISEMENT

During the handshake, AHY and Moeldoko exchanged a few words. Responding to media calls, they posed for the cameras with smiling faces while shaking hands.

The handshake lasted for about 10 seconds, after which Moeldoko moved on to greet other ministers and officials present.

"I want to be an integral part of this government. I don't want to exaggerate what has passed because that would mean we're not moving forward. Everything we have gone through is a part of the political journey, part of the Democratic Party's journey as well. I consider it a valuable experience to be taken as lessons learned. We should focus together with other cabinet members," said AHY.

Moeldoko also expressed a similar sentiment. He mentioned that the meeting and handshake with AHY were ordinary occurrences.

"We are colleagues in the same cabinet; this is normal. It doesn't disturb our working relationship. We are focused on discussing government effectiveness," Moeldoko said after the meeting.

The dispute between AHY and Moeldoko ended with the Ministry of Law and Human Rights officially supporting AHY's leadership as the Chairman of the Democratic Party, a position established by the 2020 Congress.

Moeldoko's faction had filed lawsuits with the State Administrative Court and the Supreme Court, all of which were rejected.

The Democratic Party officially joined President Joko Widodo's government coalition after AHY assumed the position of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning Minister, replacing Hadi Tjahjanto, who was appointed as the Chief Security Minister. Both were sworn in together by President Jokowi at the State Palace on Feb. 21.

However, Moeldoko was not present at the swearing-in ceremony. On the same day, he explained in an Instagram post that he was in Colombo, Sri Lanka, participating as a speaker at the FAO Asia-Pacific conference attended by 34 country delegations.

"For those looking for me today, don't worry, I'm here," wrote Moeldoko on his Instagram account on Wednesday afternoon.

He also congratulated the newly appointed ministers, AHY and Hadi Tjahjanto, expressing his inability to attend the inauguration due to official duties as the head of the Presidential Chief of Staff Office.
 

Tags: Keywords:
SHARE

Related Articles


News May 25, 2026 | 11:42 am

Police Investigate Massive Sumatra Blackout Affecting 13 Million Customers

Authorities probe the cause of a major Sumatra power outage after extreme weather disrupted a key transmission line.
Business May 4, 2026 | 8:34 pm

Indonesia Fast-Tracks 575 km Sea Wall to Safeguard 55 Million Residents

Indonesia accelerates 575 km sea wall project to protect millions and key economic hubs from flooding and land subsidence.
News May 4, 2026 | 3:09 pm

AHY: Delayed Giant Sea Wall Risks $368 Billion Java Coast Economy

Indonesia warns of major economic losses and rising coastal risks if the Java north coast sea wall project is delayed.
Business Apr 24, 2026 | 1:35 pm

Indonesia Plans 14,000-km Rail Network Outside Java by 2045

Indonesia plans 14,000 km of rail outside Java by 2045 in a $69.4 billion push to improve connectivity.
Special Updates Apr 23, 2026 | 8:03 pm

DXI 2026 Opens in Jakarta to Promote Marine Tourism and Adventure Sports

Minister Agus said DXI had become a strategic platform for driving growth in Indonesia’s adventure tourism and marine tourism sector.
News Mar 10, 2026 | 1:00 pm

Indonesian Eid Travelers to Get Discounts Thanks to $54 Million Stimulus

The Transportation Ministry estimated that this year's Eid homecoming would see 143.9 million travelers.
News Jan 21, 2026 | 3:10 pm

Indonesia to Form Committee on China-Backed Train Ahead of Surabaya Expansion

Indonesia wants to extend the bullet train to Surabaya, but will focus on the debt restructuring first, senior minister Agus says.
News Jan 15, 2026 | 6:44 pm

Indonesia Seeks Rp 60 Trillion to Rebuild Homes, Infrastructure After Sumatra Floods

Indonesia will need nearly Rp 60 trillion to rebuild infrastructure and almost 239,000 homes after deadly floods in Sumatra.

The Latest


News 57 minutes ago

Lamine Yamal Scores in Spain's 4-0 Demolition of Saudi Arabia 

He has helped Spain win the European Championship in 2024 despite being just 16 years old when the tournament started.
Business 3 hours ago

4,000 Workers at Nike Supplier in Indonesia Sent Home as New Orders Dry Up

Feng Tay Indonesia Enterprises is part of Taiwan-based Feng Tay Group and has operated in Indonesia since 1992.
Business 5 hours ago

Indonesia Says Aggressive Rate Hikes Are Helping Stabilize Rupiah

Indonesia says recent rate hikes are helping stabilize the rupiah, though economists warn monetary policy alone is not enough.
News 14 hours ago

Ayase Ueda Scores Twice in Japan’s 4-0 Win Against Tunisia 

Japan’s four goals were the most the Samurai Blue had ever scored in a World Cup game.
News 16 hours ago

Jakarta Completes Rasuna Said Revamp, Removes 109 Derelict Pillars

Jakarta has completed the transformation of Rasuna Said, removing 109 abandoned monorail pillars and upgrading public spaces.
COPYRIGHT © 2026 JAKARTA GLOBE. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED