Iambakey Okuk, CBE | |
---|---|
Deputy Prime Minister | |
In office 1980–1982 | |
Preceded by | Ebia Olewale |
Succeeded by | Paias Wingti |
Minister for Primary Industries | |
In office 1985–1986 | |
Leader of the Opposition | |
In office 1983–1984 | |
Preceded by | Ted Diro |
Succeeded by | Stephen Tago |
Minister for Transport | |
In office 1980–1982 | |
Leader of the Opposition | |
In office 1978–1980 | |
Preceded by | Tei Abal |
Succeeded by | Michael Somare |
Minister for Education | |
In office 1975–1976 | |
Minister for Transport | |
In office 1974–1975 | |
Minister for Agriculture | |
In office 1972–1974 | |
Member of the National Parliament | |
In office 1983–1986 | |
Preceded by | Malo Kiniyafa |
Succeeded by | Benias Sabumei |
Constituency | Unggai-Benna District Open |
In office 1972–1982 | |
Preceded by | John Nilles |
Succeeded by | John Nilkare |
Constituency | Chimbu Province |
Personal details | |
Born | 5 May 1945 Territory of New Guinea (now Papua New Guinea) |
Died | 14 November 1986 Papua New Guinea | (aged 41)
Iambakey Palma Okuk CBE (5 May 1945 – 14 November 1986) was an independence leader in Papua New Guinea and served as Deputy Prime Minister, the nation's first Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, and repeatedly in the capacity of Minister of Transport, Minister of Primary Industries and Leader of the Opposition. He is known as Papua New Guinea's "most colourful and controversial politician".[1] Okuk first led protests against unfair labor practices, and then once elected to office, worked to reserve sectors of the economy for citizens as a method of returning a complex economic role to Papua New Guineans. In the post-independence decade, Okuk built a coalition of minority political factions which forced a successful change of government, in which he became Deputy Prime Minister.