A group of 78 Sri Lankan asylum seekers onboard an Australian custom ship, have refused to step on Indonesian soil. They have refused any sort of medical treatment and identity checks by Indonesian authorities in protest of their detention.

Their vessel was headed to Australia and was rescued by an Australian ship about 10 days ago.

Indonesian authorities are now working to find a place for the Sri Lankan asylum seekers. Indonesian officials say there’s no room at a local immigration detention center.

Seafaring asylum seekers through Indonesian waters in a bid to reach Australia has become a political problem for Australia.

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has defended the Indonesian policy of detention and processing asylum seekers. He says it may prevent perilous sea journeys by asylum seekers.

Indonesia's navy recently intercepted another boat carrying 260 Sri Lankans off the coast of Java.