His father is Ginandjar Kartasasmita a former Speaker of Indonesia Regional Representative Council.

Agus Kartasasmita began his political career when he was elected into the People's Representative Council of Indonesia in 1998 and served till 2004.

In early 2015, he was appointed Secretary of Golkar Party faction in People's Representative Council.

[10][11] On 24 August 2018, he was appointed Minister of Social Affairs by President Joko Widodo.

[12][13][14] On 23 October 2019, president elect Jokowi announced that Agus Gumiwang would make a return to his Indonesia Onward Cabinet as Minister of Industry replacing Gumiwang's fellow Golkar Party politician, Airlangga Hartarto.