Sri Lankan asylum seekers on board the Australian customs ship, the Oceanic Viking, are refusing to go ashore in Indonesia.

A senior official from Indonesia’s Department of Foreign Affairs, named Sujatmiko, went aboard the Oceanic Viking yesterday.

He confirmed to the ABC that while the crew aboard the ship were very co-operative and discussions were cordial and polite, negotiations about them agreeing to come ashore in Indonesiaare at a stalemate.

“They do not want to get off the ship,” said Mr Sumatjiko.

“We will do what we can...but we cannot ask them...cannot force them.

“They rejected our offer for a medical examination so we cannot do anything.”

Local leaders in the Riau islands are protesting against Jakarta’s decision to use Indonesiaas what they’ve called “a dumping ground.”

The deputy governor of the Riau Islands, Fauzi Helmi has confirmed to the ABC that he and Governor Ismeth Abdullah totally reject the arrival of the 78 Sri Lankans aboard the Oceanic Viking moored off Bintan Island.

He said if Australiais willing to help, they should take them in.

However, Fauzi Helmi also conceded that as this was a foreign affairs issue, his administration was powerless to refuse Jakarta’s orders.

He said the central government will be obeyed but only on the condition that the asylum seekers stay for not more than one month.

Jakarta has indicated it will listen to the local government’s concerns.