Raden Adipati Aria Muharam Wiranatakusumah

R. A. A. Wiranatakusumah V was the first Minister of Home Affairs of Indonesia.

Early life

Born in Bandung from a Sundanese noble lineage of Bandung regents, his father left him when he was still 5 years old. At the age of 9, Muharam, as he usually addressed during his childhood, enrolled in Europeesche Lagere School (European Elementary School). He then continued his education into Opleidingsschool voor Inlandse Ambtenaren (School for civil servants) until the third grade. In 1904, he moved to Gymnasium Koning Willem III (present-day National Library of Indonesia building) in Batavia by advice of Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje and received his diploma degree in 1910. During his stay in Batavia, Muharam learned French, German and English in Hurgronje's home.

After graduated, Muharam got his first job as a Clerk in Tanjungsari, Sumedang. In 1911, he became an Orderly in Cibadak, Regency. In a short time, he was appointed as the head of district Cibeureum Sukapura, Tasikmalaya. Due to his impressive work performance, In 1912 he was appointed as Regent of Cianjur, at the age of 24. After numerous achievements, in 1920 he was reassigned as Regent of Bandung. After one year, he was chosen as a member of Volksraad representing Sedio Moelio, an association of Dutch East Indies' regents.

President of Pasundan

During the formation of United States of Indonesia, he briefly served as president of the state of Pasundan, one of the federal member states of the USI.