Jakarta. Presidential Chief of Staff Moeldoko was a notable absentee when Democratic Party Chairman Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono was inaugurated as the agrarian affairs minister at the State Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday.

Moeldoko and Agus have been embroiled in public conflicts for years, with Moeldoko disputing Agus’ legality as the party’s chairman. The dispute escalated to the point where Moeldoko organized a rival congress of the Democratic Party, involving disgruntled members who then appointed him chairman by acclamation.

Agus has won multiple legal battles against the Moeldoko camp and his Democratic Party was recognized as the lawful participant in the Feb. 14 general elections, ending a takeover attempt by Moeldoko.

Their unlikely collaboration now seems inevitable after President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo appointed Agus as the new cabinet member, filling the position vacated by Hadi Tjahjanto, who was promoted to the role of chief security minister.

"To those wondering where I am today, relax, I am here," Moeldoko posted on his Instagram account in the afternoon.

He clarified that he was in the Sri Lankan capital, Colombo, as a speaker at an international conference on food and agriculture.

"Congratulations to Mr. Hadi Tjahjanto and Brother Agus Yudhoyono, who were installed today by President Jokowi as members of the Forward Indonesia Cabinet. My apologies for not attending the ceremony due to my duty as the Presidential Chief of Staff to speak at an FAO forum in Sri Lanka," Moeldoko wrote.

After the inauguration ceremony earlier in the day, curious reporters asked Agus about Moeldoko’s absence.

“Oh no!” Agus replied with a smile before leaving the scene.

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