Kausaanek Malaati

Kausaanek Malaati
Kausaanek in January 2024.
Leader of Mava Council
Incumbent
Assumed office 24 May 2023
Deputy	Nukavik Piitaaq
Preceded by	Paqtuq Maagamarak
Deputy Leader of Mava Council
In office 24 May 2019 – 24 May 2023
Preceded by	Tilurut Qurlivitaneq
Succeeded by	Nukavik Piitaaq
Member of Mava Council Executive
Incumbent
Assumed office 24 May 2019
Member of Mava Council
Incumbent
Assumed office 9 May 1997
Personal details
Born	(1952-08-10) 10 August 1952 Paas, Mava Islands Colony

Kausaanek Salaaq Malaati (/koʊsaːnek salaːk malaːti/; born 10 August 1952) is a Mavean politician. He is currently Leader of Mava Council, the oldest to hold the position. He previously served as Deputy Leader of Mava Council and Executive Member for Economy and Finance from 2019 to 2023.

Biography

Kausaanek was born in Paas (then called Ariza) on 10 August 1952. His father, Malaati Kaaganatak, was a general practitioner and, in the absence of Atitlanese medical personnel, the most senior doctor on the island. His mother, Amuniq Ikinqipaagmik, was born in Atlalilco and was a quarter Atitlanese. He was educated at Paas Catholic School, before moving to moving to Atitlan in 1970.

He served in the Atitlanese Navy for five years, the first indigenous Mavean to do so. He left the navy in 1976. Kausaanek returned to Mava in 1977, joining Uujutajap Paas Kamaqjuukutnik as a reporter. He became deputy editor in 1985 and editor in 1987.

He first ran to be a member of Mava Council in 1991 but was not elected. In 1997, he ran again and won, being the 13th highest-ranked of 16 winning winning candidates. He was won re-election in each subsequent election, increasing his percentage of the vote each time.

In 1998, he was appointed to the Committee on Administration, becoming its chairman in 2004. As chairman, he led efforts to abolish the office of Representative of the Government. Whilst his attempts were unsuccessful, the Atitlanese government removed all remaining political powers from the position.

In 2019 he was elected Deputy Leader of the Council with responsibility for economy and finance, becoming the oldest first-time member of the council's executive. As the island's economy minister, he led negotiations with the Atitlanese government over development grants, and led the creation of the Mava Islands Development Corporation.

In 2022, council leader Paqtuq Maagamarak announced that he had been diagnosed with cancer. He confirmed that he would not seek re-election as council leader, and Kausaanek became acting council leader in January 2023. Following 2023 council elections, Kausaanek became the most-voted candidate and, according to convention, became council leader.

Controversies

Kausaanek has been the subject of a number of controversies relating to his outspoken behaviour and relationship with several businesses. He has been investigated for his relationship with the Mava Islands Development Corporation and role in the appointment of its governing bodies.

In 2024, he received significant criticism for commenting on the conduct of police and "obstructing" the work of the Mines and Properties Police during a murder investigation. He also received criticism for a rebranding of Mava Council, reportedly costing 420,000 pesos ($25,000).

Personal life

Kausaanek is unmarried, living in Paas with his sister. He speaks Mavean, Almagrian, and Anglish.

See also

• List of leaders of Mava
• Mava Council
• Politics of Mava