[1] He has been a member of the National Parliament of Papua New Guinea since July 2007, representing the electorate of Tambul-Nebilyer Open.
Poponawa first contested the 2002 general election, but was defeated by People's Democratic Movement candidate Mark Anis.
[2] He again contested the seat as an independent at the 2007 general election, and was successful despite having trailed for most of the count.
[4][5] He was subsequently named as Parliamentary Secretary for Treasury and Finance by Prime Minister Michael Somare.
[6] In January 2012, he joined Don Polye's new Triumph Heritage Empowerment Rural Party.