Arudji Kartawinata

Kartawinata was born in Garut on 5 May 1905, being of Sundanese descent. After completing his studies at a HIS (elementary school level) and a MULO (junior high school level), he became a teacher and later principal of a Sarekat Islam (SI) elementary school in Garut. During his time in Garut, he published the newspaper Balatentara Islam, which covered the activities of the SI. He was also involved in nationalist activities. ==Military career==

During the Japanese occupation of the Dutch East Indies, Kartawinata enlisted in the Pembela Tanah Air (PETA) military unit, and he became a daidancho (battalion commander) there. Following the proclamation of Indonesian independence, Kartawinata became the People's Security Agency (BKR) commander in the Priangan region, and he later was appointed as commander of the 3rd Division of the newly formed People's Security Army (TKR), covering the same area. This division was the predecessor of what is today the Siliwangi Division. On 24 November 1945, under pressure from nationalist youths (pemuda) following the outbreak of the Battle of Surabaya, Kartawinata organized an attack against British forces stationed in Bandung - planned to be a general attack, but in practice only limited and scattered fighting took place. He was later replaced as division commander by Abdul Haris Nasution. ==Politics==

As Sutan Sjahrir became Prime Minister, Kartawinata (then a member of Masyumi) was appointed as the deputy minister of defense in his Second Sjahrir Cabinet. In the Third Sjahrir Cabinet, Harsono Tjokroaminoto took the post. In the Dwikora Cabinet, constituted in October 1965, Kartawinata served as Chairman of the "Gotong-Rojong" Parliament (DPRGR) following the death of its previous chair Zainul Arifin on 2 March 1963. He held this post between 1963 and February 1966. Afterwards, he served two years as a regular member of parliament until he was appointed to the Dewan Pertimbangan Agung (Supreme Advisory Council) in February 1968, a position he held until his death. ==Death==

Kartawinata died on 13 July 1970 in Jakarta due to encephalitis. He was buried at the Kalibata Heroes' Cemetery. ==References==