Jakarta, Dec. 16 -- The government has sent 44,000 tons of rice to areas hit by floods and landslides in Sumatra as authorities assured food supplies remain secure despite widespread disaster impacts.

Speaking at a cabinet meeting chaired by President Prabowo Subianto in Jakarta on Monday, Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman said food stocks and distribution were safe following natural disasters in three provinces on Sumatra.

"We have prepared reserves three times higher than the needs, with 120,000 tons on the ground. So there is no problem with food, Mr. President," Sulaiman said, according to a Ministry of Agriculture statement issued on Tuesday.

The ministry has also distributed cooking oil and food aid from partner organizati...