KOTA KINABALU: Barisan Nasional has always been prepared to face elections.
In fact, Upko acting president Datuk Seri Madius Tangau revealed that the party began planning for the 14th general election right after the 13th national poll.
"Our preparedness is our commitment to the people," he said after launching a two-day ‘International Conference on Marine Science & Aquaculture’ here.
On seat allocation, Madius said Upko has four Parliamentary and state seats. As for the much-coveted 13 additional seats, allocations will be decided based on discussions with other component parties.
"It should be on the "winnability" principle. There is no point (fielding candidates) if there is no winning.
"We will let the top party leadership decide," he said, adding that the list of Upko candidates who will contest seats has been finalised.
Meanwhile, Universiti Malaysia Sabah played host to the first day of the 12th annual Science & Aquaculture event here.
Madius, who is also Science, Technology and Innovation minister, said marine resources are important not only for the country's economy, but food security.
He added that the ministry will continue to work with the state government and university in managing the rich marine biodiversity of the Coral Triangle area together with five other countries.
The Coral Triangle refers to a triangular area of the tropical marine waters of Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, the Solomon Islands and Timor-Leste which contain at least 500 species of reef-building corals in each ecoregion.