Jakarta – The whereabouts of National Police Chief Gen. Bambang Hendarso Danuri were unclear on Friday in the wake of the latest scandal to rock the tainted Indonesian institution.

The embattled Bambang, at the center of allegedly fabricated claims that police had recorded telephone conversations implicating senior Corruption Eradication Commission members if graft, was expected to appear at a ceremony at National Police headquarters to officially install a number of senior officers in key positions throughout Indonesia.

After news was relayed that Bambang was a no-show, the officers who gathered for the ceremony dispersed.

A police spokesman told the Jakarta Globe that the ceremony had been canceled because Bambang had been summoned to meet President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, but this was denied by the Presidential Palace.

Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Djoko Suyanto also denied Bambang had met Yudhoyono. Djoko said the president had only met with a number of his cabinet ministers as part of preparations for his national address on August 16.

"The National Police chief did not join the meeting. It's the only items on the agenda, there's nothing else," Djoko told state news agency Antara.

National Police, however, continued to insist during the day that Bambang was at the palace. His car was not seen parked in its normal space at police headquarters. Bambang is facing growing pressure to apologize and take responsibility for misleading the public.

The "evidence" was alleged to have been recorded during the height of an alleged conspiracy involving elements of National Police to bring down the respected KPK after it uncovered details of alleged corruption involving a senior police officer.