Ruben Sasanta

The Honourable Ruben Sasanta SC OSUD CH
Official portrait, 1999
9th Prime Minister of Uskad
In office 9 June 1999 – 19 September 2011
President	Galih Nugroho Letena Sutana Tushtu Sukala
Deputy	Herbertus Halim Talin Jemenak
Preceded by	Isaia Kalesono
Succeeded by	Talin Jemenak
Leader of the Opposition
In office 11 August 1995 – 9 June 1999
Prime Minister	Leteno Sutana Isaia Kalesono
Deputy	Yohanes Numa
Member of the Uskadian Parliament for Sundarawan East
In office 7 October 1984 – 2 September 2019
Preceded by	Yako Hunes
Succeeded by	constituency abolished
Personal details
Born	(1958-04-10) 10 April 1958 Sampunuwu, Tanukerta, Uskad
Political party	Progressive Workers' Party
Relations	Suni Jesnio (m. 1981)
Children	3
Residence	Panpinangan
Alma mater	National University of Uskad, PhD
Profession	Professional services

Ruben Henry Tobias Sasanta SC MSUd (born 10 April 1958) is an Uskadian politician who served as Prime Minister of Uskad from 1999 until his resignation in 2011 and Leader of the Progressive Workers' Party between 1995 and 2011. He also served as Member of Parliament for Sundarawan East from 1984 to 2019. His 12-year tenure is the second longest in Uskadian history, behind the country’s founder and inaugural Prime Minister, Robert Susilman.

Sasanta was born in Sampunuwu to a working-class family. He was mostly educated at public schools, and attended the National University oF Uskad. He later joined the Progressive Workers' Party, working as a functionary and was elected as the MP for Sundarawan East in 1984. He first served as as an adviser to many shadow ministers, and was later appointed by PWP leader Yako Hunes as Shadow Minister of Youth and Sports in 1989. He later became Shadow Minister of Foreign Affairs in 1994. Hunes resigned in 1995, and Sasanta was elected leader unopposed.

He began to reform the party, and the PWP adopted many moderate and centrist policies under his leadership, though he was cautious of straying too far to the centre. He later led to the PWP to a landslide victory in 1999, with a sweeping 110-seat majority. His first term was marked by major reforms of the country's welfare system, announced major infrastructure projects and delivered stable economic growth due to the efforts of Treasury Minister Herbertus Halim. He also legalised same-sex marriage in 2002, autonomy for provinces, and a failed referendum for federalisation.

He led the PWP to a larger landslide in 2004, with a 186-seat majority. He began to focus on the environment for his second term, passing legislation to increase usage of green energy. He also announced a large-scale project of constructing nuclear power plants. He later faced crisis during the 2008 financial crisis, and Uskad was hardest hit during the recession. The PWP managed in the win the 2009 general elections, but with a reduced majority. By his third term, Sasanta was increasingly unpopular, and was replaced by Talin Jemenak. He later retired from frontline politics in 2019.

Early life

Sasanta was born in Sampunuwu to mixed Javanese-Native Uskadian parents. His father was a mineworker, while his mother was a nurse. Sasanta was the eldest child in the family, and had two younger siblings.

He grew up in public housing with his parents, while his two other siblings were sent to live with other relatives. His parents later relocated to Panpinangan, to move to the relatively wealthy area of Citabak, after his father had obtained a position at a consultancy firm.

Education

He first attended Citabak State Primary School, where he was known to be quiet and reserved. He was nicknamed Henry by his classmates. He began to be interested in politics at age 12, when he saw then-Prime Minister Robert Susilman doing a speech at his neighbourhood, which inspired him to consider politics.

He attended the National University of Uskad, where he studied Economics. He graduated and started initially as an economist. But after returning to his old neighbourhood one day, he saw the squalid conditions that the residents were living in, and was inspired to run as an MP for the upcoming 1989 general election. He was selected by the local PWP branch to run for Collins.

Early political career

He started his political career by running as MP for Collins, defeating CNP incumbent Yako Hunes and was one of the few new PWP MPs, due to the CNP maintaining their majority in the election. He began to be outspoken about the working class and provided his own experience as well. He, along with 23 other MPs, became one of the founders of the PWP Democratic Socialists. After consideration by party leader Gena Supaka, he was appointed Shadow Minister for Manpower and Labour. In a famous speech, he questioned then Manpower Minister Leso Gurana’s claim to his dedication to protecting workers and Sasanta highlighted Gurana’s apparent lack of commitment due to his poor handling of the Palangpalolu Mineral Mining disaster.

After the PWP’s poor performance at the 1994 general elections, Sasanta was one of the shadow cabinet members that pressured Supaka into resigning. Supaka later complied and resigned in 1995. Sasanta was unanimously elected as new PWP leader and became the new Leader of the Opposition. Around this time Prime Minister Leteno Sutana resigned and was replaced by relatively unknown cabinet member Isaia Kalesono.

Sasanta used this opportunity to attack Kalesono’s percieved inexperience. He questioned his handling of various issues, and Kalesono’s perceived failure to answer is questions led to increased PWP performance in the polls. The PWP’s relative competence in governing provinces was also a factor. When the 1999 general elections came, the PWP won a landslide victory, with a 60 seat majority.

Prime Minister (1999-2011)

Sasanta became Prime Minister in 9 June 1999, becoming the second Prime Minister to have been born after Uskadian independence. At his first speech as Prime Minister, Sasanta stated that Uskad must thrive in the new millennium, and Uskad has the opportunity to prosper. At his cabinet appointments, he increased the government ministries into 26 ministries and ensured that his cabinet was gender equal.

Domestic affairs

Sasanta's domestic policies were marked by a focus on social justice, reform and public services. His government launched large-scale infrastructure development, building transport, housing and energy infrastructure. Halim's economic policies helped fund Sasanta's projects, and these projects led sustained growth and low unemployment. Investments in healthcare, education and public services were also a major hallmark of his government.

A series of major welfare reforms implemented were the minimum wage, the expansion of healthcare, and workers' rights reforms. Significant labour protections were also passed during his tenure. These policies did increase living standards, but critics pointed out that inequality still persisted in the rural regions.

The government also passed landmark LGBTQ+ rights legislation, with Uskad becoming on of the first countries to legalise same-sex marriage. He also passed numerous significant transgender rights legislation. The environment was also a focus of Sasanta's government, though critics say his environmental policies led to rising public debt.

Personal life

Sasanta is married to Uskadian barrister Suni Jesnio. They have 3 children and live in Panpinangan. He lives a private life, and has stated that publication of details of his private life will result in legal consequences. His two brothers, Huni and Poli, are both lawyers. He is a Protestant, although he clarified that he is not religious and does not frequently attend church.

Honours

• Sasanta Cross (2011)
• Medal for Service to Uskad (2017)