Indonesian police have detained a group of 11 Sri Lankan asylum seekers.

They group was headed for Australia when they were abandoned by a Malaysian guide on Monday, who told them to get off their boat near Indonesia's Bintan Island.

The group of nine adults and two children were found by Indonesian police near Lagoi Resort.

They were taken to an immigration office on Riau Island.

[Sugiyo, Tanjung Pinang Immigration Detention Center]:
"From our investigation eight people of those eleven had registered in UNHCR Malaysia."

The group of seven men, two women and two children were on their way to Australia.

A rise in refugees traveling through Indonesian waters in a bid to reach Australia has created a political headache for leaders of both countries.