Indonesia Holds Immigrants Going To Australia

Four Indonesians suspected of being people smugglers were also detained.

Indonesian police have detained 40 migrants from Afghanistan and Pakistan suspected of planning to enter Australia illegally by boat from an island off Sulawesi, police said on Tuesday.

Abubakar Nataprawira, national police spokesman, said 15 Afghans and 25 Pakistanis were detained before they left Baubau port on Buton island, off Sulawesi, on Monday.

Four Indonesians suspected of being people smugglers were also detained.

"The way they operate is to enter Indonesia, whether illegally or legally, and act like tourists, then they go to remote areas like Baubau where a boat is prepared," Nataprawira said.

Indonesia is frequently used as a transit spot for job seekers or asylum seekers trying to reach Australia.