Jokowi's son fends off seasoned rivals' criticism in V-P debate

He also lays out plans to lift the economy which he says would create 19 million jobs

- Linda Yulisman, Wahyudi Soeriaatmadja

Indonesian President Joko Widodo's millennial son coolly fended off criticism in a highly anticipated election debate on Dec 22, as his vice-presidential opponents blasted his father's biggest legacy project to move the country's capital from Jakarta to Borneo.

Mr Gibran Rakabuming Raka surprised the audience with his calm delivery laced with stinging sarcasm as he squared off against political heavyweights - Chief Security Minister Mahfud MD and seasoned politician Muhaimin Iskandar.

Mr Gibran, 36, defended his father's economic policies that he said reduced unemployment, poverty and economic inequality.

He hailed Nusantara, the new administrative capital currently being built from scratch in East Kalimantan, as a "symbol of equality" that would create jobs and distribute economic growth more evenly to regions outside Java island, where Jakarta is located.

Mr Muhaimin, 57, criticised the high cost of the project, estimated at nearly 500 trillion rupiah (S$42.8 billion), saying even 1 per cent to 3 per cent of the outlay would have been better used to develop infrastructure such schools and roads across Kalimantan, which is the Indonesian part of Borneo.

In response, Mr Muhaimin Mr Gibran reminded that he had celebrated the launch of the capital project, "slicing the nasi tumpeng", a yellow rice dish prepared for special occasions in Indonesia.