Harsodiningrat

Harsodiningrat was born as Harsono Sumardi on 16 January 1936. He was an alumnus of Gadjah Mada University, with a bachelor's degree from its social and political science department and a master's degree in business management. During his time at Gadjah Mada, he was part of the university's student council and its student regiment [id].^[1]

He began to work as a civil servant in 1962, initially as an intern and then as a temporary worker before becoming a secretary in the gubernatorial office of the Yogyakarta Special Region in 1965. He gradually rose up the ranks in the provincial government of Yogyakarta, becoming a district head (camat) by 1975 and by 1984 he was appointed head of the development department in Bantul Regency. In 1992, he was appointed secretary of the provincial legislature.^[1] At some point, the Yogyakarta Sultanate granted him the title of Kanjeng Pangeran Haryo, the highest title of the courtiers.^[2]

On 6 October 1994, he was elected as regent of Gunung Kidul Regency by its Regional House of Representatives to replace Soebekti Soenarto, defeating two other candidates.^[1][3] He was sworn in as regent in November 1994.^[4] Gunung Kidul was the poorest part of the province during his tenure, and the government conducted over half of its development of disadvantaged villages program within Gunung Kidul.^[5] He served as regent until 1999.^[6]

His autobiography was published in 2020. He died at his home in Yogyakarta on 22 February 2025, and was buried at a cemetery for Yogyakartan Sultanate courtiers in the city. He was survived by his wife and three children.^[1]