The legislation, which has been heavily debated in parliament this week, means refugees who reach Australia's mainland will be detained offshore while their asylum claims are being processed.
Theo Sambuaga, the chair of Indonesia's foreign relations committee has told Mr Howard to act cautiously during next week's meeting with the Indonesian president, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
He says he hopes the new immigration legislation will be finalised by then, however he says Indonesia will be patient.
The changes in the legislation were proposed by Mr Howard after a group of Papuans reached Australia and were granted temporary asylum earlier this year.
The issue triggered a diplomatic rift between Australia and Indonesia.
Mr Sambuaga also says it would be easier if Mr Howard didn't raise the recent release from prison of Islamic cleric, Abu Bakir Bashir, with Dr Yudhoyono.
Bashir was accused of giving his blessing to the 2002 Bali Bombings in which 202 people were killed including 88 Australians.