TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo defended Finance Minister Sri Mulyani against a negative remark made by presidential rival Prabowo Subianto. According to Jokowi, the people who say Sri Mulyani is a "debt-printing minister" are those without understanding about the economy.

"Those who say that perhaps do not understand about macroeconomics," the president said in Semarang, Central Java on Sunday, Feb. 3.

Jokowi said that the entire world knew that Sri Mulyani is Indonesia's jewel. The minister, Jokowi said, was even named Sri Mulyani the best finance minister in Asia Pacific, and the best in the world.

"She has won international awards. Everyone appreciates her. Everyone respects Mrs. Sri Mulyani," he said.

Sri Mulyani was named best finance minister in the world by international financial magazine The Banker on January 2, 2019. The award was given partly because Sri Mulyani is able to maintain the country's economy amid various disasters and tragedies in 2018.

Meanwhile, Prabowo Subianto threw shade at Sri Mulyani, suggesting to rename the title the 'Finance Minister' into the 'Debt-printing Minister', because he believes that Indonesia's debt value continued to increase from year to year.

"Debt is piling up. I believe we should not call the title Minister of Finance, maybe the Minister of Debt Printing," Prabowo said during one of his campaign tours in Jakarta, January 26.

FRISKI RIANA