About 85 Sri Lankan asylum seekers, apparently on their way to New Zealand, have been detained by Indonesian police and are refusing to abandon ship.

It is understood the ship is anchored in the waters of Tanjung Pinang, after it was stopped at Bintan Island, Riau, on Saturday.

Reuters photographs show the refugees holding up signs that read: “We need New Zealand".

Freelance photojournalist Yuli Seperi said the immigrants did not want to abandon the ship and were asking the

United Nations to help them reach New Zealand.

“We’re going to New Zealand, please help us,” cried some refugees, according to Seperi.

"We are not illegal immigrants, but refugees who will leave for New Zealand,” asylum seeker Romance Radan told Seperi.

Another refugee from the boat, who had been living in Malaysia for two years, told Seperi that his family had been killed in Sri Lanka. “Better I die here if asked to come down from the ship.”

It is understood representatives from the International Migration Organisation and Tanjung Pinang immigration were negotiating with them.

The New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs said they were aware of the ship, but would not provide further information.

(stuff.co.nz)

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