Ruben Sasanta
Ruben Sasanta | |
|---|---|
 Official portrait, 2009 | |
| Prime Minister of Uskad | |
| In office 9 June 1999 – 9 April 2011 | |
| President | Sumpuna Kumpuni |
| Deputy | Yohanes Numa |
| Preceded by | Isaia Kalesono |
| Succeeded by | Talin Jemenak |
| Leader of the Opposition | |
| In office 11 August 1995 – 9 June 1999 | |
| Prime Minister |
|
| Deputy | Yohanes Numa |
| Member of Parliament for Collins | |
| In office 7 October 1989 – 2 September 2019 | |
| Preceded by | Yako Hunes |
| Succeeded by | constituency abolished |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 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 | Economist |
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 Pondok Mandi from 1989 to 2019. His 12-year tenure is the second longest in Uskadian history, behind the country’s founder and inaugural Prime Minister, Robert Susilman.
Gaining the premiership after the PWP won the 1999 general election with a 60 seat majority, his premiership was marked by stable economic growth, liberal social policies and improvement of the welfare system. His government’s foreign policy advocated continued relations with the West, while pursuing reapproachment with Russia and China. Security policies of his tenure were criticised since he passed three controversial Security Acts into Parliament, yet also three major terror attacks occurred under his tenure.
He started his political career by running as MP for Pondok Mandi, defeating CNP incumbent Yako Hunes. In 1993 he was appointed by then-leader Gena Supaka the position Shadow Minister for Manpower and Labour. Supaka resigned in 1995 after being pressured by PWP members dueto the disastrous 1994 general election, where the PWP’s seat share was further reduced to 102 seats. He ran in the 1995 leadership election unopposed, and became Leader of the Opposition.
He led the PWP into a leftward path as he percieved moderating the party by previous leaders has made the PWP lose “the knowledge of what’s best for the working class”. He also reshuffled the shadow cabinet to provide more power to his democratic socialist faction. While campaigning for the 1999 general elections, Sasanta promised a stable economy, same-sex marriage, a major revamp of the healthcare system and providing more legal rights for trade unions.
During his premiership, Sasanta fluctuated in opinion polls. He peaked at the polls in 2005, with a 78% approval rate.[1] By his resignation, opinion was mixed.[2] A later poll conducted in 2019,[3] Sasanta was shown to have a more positive perception after his term. After his resignation as Prime Minister, Sasanta returned to the backbenches. He was reelected in 2014. He later stood down as his constituency was abolished in the 2019 general election.
Early life
Sasanta was born in Sampunuwu to mixed Javanese-Native Uskadian parents.[4] 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.
His first action was to introduce the Autonomy Act 1999, which was intended to further the autonomy of Uskadian provinces. It was passed, and some CNP MPs dissented to vote for the Act. Later, he announced the construction of the country's high speed rail system, and also a major revamp of the country's healthcare system. He also announced major spending increases to public services.
On foreign policy, the countries he first visited was the United States, Australia, Indonesia and the United Kingdom. He also visited Russia to meet with then Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. He declared in a speech during his visit to the UK, that his foreign policy is continued alignment with the West, but also rebuilding relations with Russia and other post-Soviet states, and he declared "We understand that security is important. But also, there is no need for conflict and mistrust. The Cold War is over. It is time for rebuilding and eventual peace."
On domestic policy, he announced the funding for the construction of affordable housing. He also announced a large upgrade plan for Uskadian infrastructure and railways. Other policies introduced include parental leave and rent controls.
immediate legalisation of same-sex marriage. In a 2003 referendum, same-sex marriage was voted into law by an extremely slim margin, making Uskad one of the first countries to legalise same-sex marriage.
On energy policy, he declared that Uskad would transition into renewable energy and stated "The time is now. Uskad needs to lead by the example on how to take care of the environment properly." This started with a controversial construction of 5 nuclear power plants, followed by 45 wind farms and 20 solar power plants. A large amount of oil and coal power plants were dismantled under his tenure.
On the matter of internal security, Sasanta expanded the powers of the Uskadian State Security Organisation via three separate Security Acts. The USSO was given sweeping mass surveillance and counter-terrorism powers, especially after the 9/11 attacks in the United States. This was also one of his campaign promises, as under CNP governance the USSO was perceived by the public as underfunded and ineffective at stopping terrorist attacks.
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)
