Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, second from left, accompanied by younger brother Edhie Baskoro Yudhoyono, third from left, attend the Democratic Party congress in Jakarta on Sunday. (Antara Photo/M Risyal Hidayat)

Jakarta. Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono was appointed chairman of the Democratic Party by acclamation on Sunday to succeed father and former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

Agus’ appointment came as no surprise to more than 600 party members who attended the congress at the Jakarta Convention Center, as he emerged as a sole candidate reportedly with over 90 percent of support from regional chapters.

“The congress declares by acclamation that Mr. Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono is the chairman of the Democratic Party for 2020-2025,” senior politician Evert Ernest Mangindaan, who chaired the congress, told the audience.

“Do you agree?” he asked to a chorus of approving reply from the participants.

Agus, 41, took early retirement from the Indonesian Military in 2016 for a new path as politician and ran for gubernatorial election in Jakarta, but he failed to win.

His attempt to become a running mate in the presidential election also came to an abrupt end last year, when presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto picked businessman Sandiaga Uno last year.

His father founded the party in 2001 and used it as political vehicle to win the presidency, which he served from 2004 to 2014.

The party rose to win the most votes in the 2009 legislative election when it grabbed 20 percent of seats in the House of Representatives. But its share dropped to just 10 percent as he ended presidency in 2014, and plunged deeper to just 7.7 percent in last year’s election.