More than a dozen asylum seekers attempting to get to Australia from Indonesia have been placed in immigration detention in Sukabumi after they were forced to call for help when their boat ran into bad weather.

The head of Indonesia's People Smuggling Taskforce, Budi Santoso, confirmed there were 21 people on board, including asylum seekers from Bangladesh, India and Pakistan.

Key points: Asylum seekers pay $630 fare for unsuccessful voyage from Indonesia to Christmas Island

Asylum seekers pay $630 fare for unsuccessful voyage from Indonesia to Christmas Island Small wooden boat carrying 21 people struck by large waves

Small wooden boat carrying 21 people struck by large waves Asylum seekers being held in Indonesia

One of those 18 asylum seekers on board the small wooden boat, Muhammad Jahir Hussain, said the group was trying to reach Christmas Island, but were struck by large waves and were forced to ask for help to return to shore.

He said he had travelled from Bangladesh through Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia to reach his intended destination.

"From Jakarta to Australia, it costs 6.5 million Rupiah ($630)," he said.

That is significantly less than the thousands of dollars people smugglers used to charge.

Still no resettlement for those on Manus and Nauru

This is the first reported attempt for asylum seekers to reach Australia by boat since Malcolm Turnbull — who has ruled out resettling refugees who are processed on Manus Island or Nauru in Australia — became Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister yesterday said while he was "concerned" about conditions within the offshore processing network, the Coalition did not want to encourage asylum seekers to risk their lives at sea.

"There will be no resettlement of the people on Manus and Nauru in Australia. They will never come to Australia," Mr Turnbull said.

"Now, I know that's tough, we do have a tough border protection policy, you could say it's a harsh policy, but it has worked."

Asylum seekers who were found on wooden boat off Cidaun in West Java, rest after being brought ashore. ( ABC News )

Police who processed the most recent asylum seekers in Indonesia told ABC News there was no mention of political change in Australia being behind their reasons for attempting the trip.

When asked why he left Bangladesh, Muhammad Jahir Hussain said: "Because of poverty and unrest, riots".

It is understood fishermen off Cianjur in West Java discovered the boat on Wednesday.

The asylum seekers are being held by Indonesian Immigration officials.

Those registered as asylum seekers or refugees by the UNHCR are likely to be freed, but those without papers would face indefinite detention.