Regent denies famine

PALEMBANG, South Sumatra: The Musi Banyuasin regency administration denied yesterday that there was a famine following rice harvest failure in the area.

In a letter sent to the South Sumatra provincial administration's public relations office, Nazom confirmed reports that some people in Cinta Manis village had been eating tubers instead of rice, Antara reported.

But he said that tubers were a traditional diet for people in the area and their consumption had nothing to do with food shortages.

He said to overcome food shortages resulting from rice harvest failure, the administration had appealed to companies operating in the area to extend help. (emb)