Subam first contested the electorate at the 2002 general election, but lost to People's National Congress candidate Conrad Haoda.
[2] He again contested the seat at the 2007 general election and was successful, defeating Haoda on his second attempt.
[3] He was appointed Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Trade and Immigration after the election by Prime Minister Michael Somare,[4] but later joined the Opposition.
In August 2011, Peter O'Neill became Prime Minister in the wake of a parliamentary motion of no confidence in the government of Acting Prime Minister Sam Abal (standing in for Somare while the latter was hospitalised for a heart condition).
[5] In January 2012, he joined Don Polye's new Triumph Heritage Empowerment Rural Party.