Anak Agung received his Bachelor of Arts (Honors) in government studies from Harvard University and then his Master of Arts degree from the Fletcher School of International Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University in Massachusetts, USA.

Thereafter he received his doctoral degree (PhD) in social sciences from Leiden University[4][5][6] in the Netherlands.

Anak Agung started his professional career in business in Indonesia in domestic and multinational corporations as President / CEO, Chief Commissioner and Owner.

In 1999 he entered politics and became a Senator in the Supreme Consultative Assembly of the Republic of Indonesia (MPR – RI).

This was followed by his appointment by President Abdurrahman Wahid as Minister of Societal and Community Affairs and as Head of the National Social Welfare Agency of the Republic of Indonesia.