TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:Member of the House's Commission I, Tantowi Yahya, explained that the lawmakers' visit to Germany which was openly criticized by the Indonesian Student Association (PPI) in Germany carried two important objectives. "The first is to survey defense equipment factories in West and East Europe in relation with the Law on Industrial Strategy being deliberated by the Commission,” he told Tempo on Monday, April 30, 2012. He said the Commission's working visits abroad are not done in every recess, albeit its duties to oversee the Indonesian embassies and consulates abroad. The agenda this time is related to TNI (national armed forces)'s plan to buy defence weapon to upgrade its weapon system, since the government is expected to fulfill its need from local production. Another objective is to fulfill the Commission's task as a working committee to rationalize the state representative offices abroad. Regarding the protest by Indonesian students in Germany, the Golkar Party politician said he understood but at the same time expressed regrets the students' attitude when they left the room right after declaring their opinion. "Their behavior did not reflect the attitude of those living long in a country which highly respects discussions and dialogs,” he said. He also added, “Their attitude did not solve the issues and they should have met us and let us explain the reasons behind our visit.” The House's Commission I members were in Berlin a few days ago. They made themselves available to meet with students, organizations and other elements of the Indonesian community there. Instead of an ovation during the meeting held at the Indonesian Embassy there, they received a harsh criticism from students representing the PPI, and a special branch of Nahdlatul Ulama in Germany. MUNAWWAROH