Jakarta, Dec. 2 -- Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has ordered intensified efforts to ensure public safety and accelerate response measures to widespread floods and landslides affecting Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra.

Public Works Minister Dody Hanggodo conveyed the directive in a statement issued on Tuesday.

"President Prabowo Subianto has firmly instructed us to focus on two key aspects: the safety of residents and swift, responsive measures in the field," he said after accompanying the president during visits to several flood-hit areas on Monday.

Hanggodo said the president called for fast, coordinated disaster handling and urged stronger cross-sector cooperation between central and regional governments, the military, a...