Peter Yama
{{short description|Papua New Guinea politician}}
Peter Yama (born 12 December 1955) is a businessman and Papua New Guinean politician.{{cite web | url=http://www.pngec.gov.pg/docs/default-source/default-document-library/nominations.pdf?sfvrsn=0 | title=Nominations By Electorate | publisher=PNG Electoral Commission | accessdate=15 June 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170712121652/http://www.pngec.gov.pg/docs/default-source/default-document-library/nominations.pdf?sfvrsn=0 | archive-date=12 July 2017 | url-status=dead }} He was the former governor for Madang Province from 2017-2022. Previously he was Member of Parliament for Usino Bundi between 1994–1997 and 2002-2007. In 2003 he succeeded Peter O'Neill as the Minister of Labour and Industrial Relations under Prime Minister Michael Somare.{{cite web|url=http://www.eiu.com/index.asp?layout=VWArticleVW3&article_id=696505469®ion_id=420000442&country_id=450000045&channel_id=210004021&category_id=500004050&refm=vwCat&page_title=Article&rf=0 | title=Papua New Guinea politics: Cabinet reshuffled| author=The Economist Intelligence Unit| publisher=ViewsWire| date=22 October 2003}} Prior to this, he was appointed Minister for Transport and Works in 1996.{{cite web| url=http://www.usp.ac.fj/editorial/jpacs_new/hess.PDF| title=Successful unionism in a difficult environment| author=Successful unionism in a difficult environment| publisher=The University of the South Pacific| year=2000| access-date=2012-01-13| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110402085337/http://www.usp.ac.fj/editorial/jpacs_new/hess.PDF| archive-date=2011-04-02| url-status=dead}} He was briefly Leader of the Opposition in 2004.{{cite web |title=PNG Opposition leader not recognised in Parliament |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2004-05-27/png-opposition-leader-not-recognised-in-parliament/1982832 |website=ABC News |language=en-AU |date=27 May 2004}}
Yama is the head of Yama Security Services Ltd, which is a subsidiary of his Yama Group of companies. He has an extensive property portfolio and owns the Smugglers Inn hotel in Madang.{{cite web|url= http://sundaychronicle.blogspot.com/2010/02/yama-threatens-to-sue-newspaper.html| title=Yama threatens to sue newspaper| author=Namatanai Electorate| publisher=Sunday Chronicle| date=22 February 2010}}
Controversies
Yama was referred to the Public Prosecutor in July 1997 amid allegations of misconduct which included, "improper application and failure to acquit EDF and other public funds, conflict of interest, using his position to obtain private a [sic] bank loan and attempting to purchase 2 ships from the government below market price".{{cite web | url=http://www.inapng.com/study_report_png_080703.pdf | title=TI Country Study Report | author=Fraud Management Studies Unit | publisher=National Integrity Systems | year=2003 | url-status=dead | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130320021506/http://www.inapng.com/study_report_png_080703.pdf | archivedate=2013-03-20 }}
The matter was then referred to a leadership tribunal, which investigates alleged cases of misconduct by ministers and senior public officials, and which recommended the dismissal of Yama from his office in December 2004. This decision was ultimately overturned in February 2005 due to insufficient evidence on the majority of the counts. Yama was, however, fined K1000 for having been biased in his distribution of PGK1.6 million under the Rural Transport Development Program to his then Sumkar electorate.{{cite web| url=http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20050207/news01.htm| title=Yama cleared| author=Post Courier| publisher=Post Courier| date=7 February 2005| access-date=13 January 2012| archive-url=https://archive.today/20130416151251/http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20050207/news01.htm| archive-date=16 April 2013| url-status=dead}}
In 2002 Yama issued a complaint against the State for PGK38.7 million, alleging that he had been prevented access to a piece of land leased to him in 1988. Attorney General Zacchary Gelu awarded Yama a PGK15.5 million Deed of Settlement in compensation for lost earnings. However, in 2010 a government Commission of Inquiry found that Yama's claim had been a fraudulent one, as it had failed to comply with mandatory procedural requirements and had been filed in respect of a plot of land that did not exist. The Commission referred Yama for criminal prosecution for making an unlawful claim and ordered that civil action be taken against Yama for unpaid land rentals to the effect of PGK61,015.{{cite web|url=http://pngexposed.files.wordpress.com/2010/05/yama-and-gelu.pdf| title=Yama and Gelu conspired to steal K15.5m from the people of PNG| author= PNG Exposed Blog | publisher=PNG Exposed Blog| date=23 November 2011}}
In December 2009, Yama was awarded PGK7.6 million in a case against Motor Vehicle Insurance Limited for breach of contract. However, Bank of South Pacific (BSP) attempted to secure this money, claiming that Yama had outstanding debts. Yama denied that he had any existing debts with BSP and brought charges of fraud against the bank. Two Australian executives at BSP were subsequently arrested as a consequence of this action.{{cite web|url= http://www.watoday.com.au/world/aussie-bankers-arrested-in-png-20100122-mp2m.html| title=Aussie bankers arrested in PNG| author=AAP| publisher=WAtoday| date=22 January 2010}}
The executives, Robin Fleming and John Maddison, were subsequently released on bail. Australian law firm Gadens Lawyers, which represented BSP in the court action against Yama, were forced to withdraw their involvement in the case following physical threats to their legal team by armed groups in Port Moresby.{{cite web|url=http://www.solomonstarnews.com/news/regional/2154--law-firm-withdraws-from-png-fraud-case-after-threats
| title=Law firm withdraws from PNG fraud case after threats| author=Solomon Star| publisher=Solomon Star| date=22 January 2010}}