Senior Indonesian politicians have launched another broadside at Prime Minister Tony Abbott's asylum seeker policies, warning him not to be a "cowboy" and saying his policy was "very offensive" to their country's sovereignty.

As Foreign Affairs Minister, Julie Bishop on Thursday explained in person to Indonesian officials her government's suite of measures designed to deter people smugglers. Fairfax Media has confirmed they are unpopular in the Indonesian executive branch, in the parliament and through the bureaucracy.

Mahfudz Siddiq, the head of the Indonesian parliament's commission for foreign affairs, told Fairfax Media the policy was a "reflection of Tony Abbott's panic".

"By intervening in other countries' sovereignty such as building transit ports, buying its fishermen's boats, I think he creates more problems than he solves," Mr Mahfudz said.

"Tony Abbott should not adopt a cowboy style when addressing the people-smuggling problem. He must take the diplomatic channel instead."