Yama denies punch-up

By JAYNE SAFIHAO
MADANG businessman and two-time politician, Peter Yama, has denied there was a punch-up between him and sitting parliamentarian, Anton Yagama, at the airport terminal on Monday afternoon.
Yama said he had gone to drop his daughter who was to travel to India when he saw Yagama and his wife.
“I approached the wife to shake her hands and she obliged but when I put my hand out to shake Yagama’s he struck my hand back and refused,” he said.
Yama said they exchanged word and admitted grabbing Yagama’s beard before immediately letting it go.
“I am a leader and will not be seen in such a compromising situation,” he said.
“I have tried serving him court documents through very senior policemen in the province but he has, on more than one occasion, refused to be served.
“He must know there are rules to be complied with if you are a leader.
“I have since last Wednesday filed my petition alleging him of irregularities during the counting time.
“Whether he is duly elected by a true number remains to be seen as I already have affidavits prepared that he must contest.”
When contacted, Yagama admitted they exchanged words and said a shot had been fired in the terminal area.
“A shot was fired at close range, there were many of us in the terminal and it could have hit me,” he said from Port Moresby yesterday.
The matter has been set for Sept 26 for a directions hearing with the Electoral Commission and returning officer, Steven Biko, being served their copies already.