Jakarta, Dec. 7 -- President Prabowo Subianto described the major floods and landslides that swept the provinces of Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra as a "challenge" of the first year of his presidency that "must be overcome."

While inspecting the construction of a Bailey bridge in Teupin Mane, Bireuen, Aceh, on Sunday, the president told Aceh Governor Muzakir Manaf and Bireuen District Head Mukhlis Takabeya to help disaster-affected residents regain their strength.

"The national leadership is just one year old. The president, governors, and district heads are all in their first year. However, we are voted into office to overcome this challenge," the president told the local leaders.

During his visit to disaster-affected areas in ...