He was a member of parliament and the Bali government from 1970 to 1998. In 1998, he was elected to his first term as Governor of Bali, and in 2003 he was elected for his second term.
He held a seat in parliament and served on the Bali government from 1970 to 1998, becoming Governor of Bali in 1998 and being elected again for his second term in 2003.