Jakarta, July 16 -- Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa said Indonesia's government debt remains manageable despite exceeding Rp8,000 trillion (about US$443.3 billion), citing the country's relatively low debt-to-GDP ratio and stable sovereign credit rating.

Speaking at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday, Purbaya said a country's debt should be assessed relative to the size of its economy rather than by its nominal value.

"We always compare it with the size of the economy, not just the nominal value," he said.

Purbaya said the debt-to-gross domestic product (GDP) ratio is the standard measure of fiscal sustainability.

Indonesia's debt-to-GDP ratio stands at about 40 percent, well below the 60 percent threshold set under...