Armando Siahaan, Jakarta – The deputy chairman of the House of Representatives' Ethics Council says he has no problem with legislators shopping or visiting tourism sites on the government's controversial tax-payer funded overseas trips.

"[Legislators] are human too, don't treat us like robots," said Nudirman Munir of the Golkar Party.

Nudirman said that during the comparative studies – dismissed as lavish junkets by some commentators – lawmakers were entitled to take time out for other activities such as shopping. "It's at our own cost, so why not?" he said.

Nudirman said the expense of these activities was not part of the budget, but could be taken from the allowances allocated for the trip. "Which is our right," he added.

The legislator's comments came following a storm of criticism launched at lawmakers for their official trips, which are seen by watchdogs as a waste of taxpayers money in that they achieve little if anything.

Two groups of lawmakers from House commission III for law and legislation are currently on a trip to England and Canada to do a comparative study on the immigration bill. It has been reported that the legislators intend to visit five-star department store Harrods and Big Ben.

House Commission IV for horticulture recently sent delegations to the Netherlands and Norway for the horticulture bill, while House commission X for education sent delegations to Japan, South Korea and South Africa for the scout bill.