Australia's refusal to respond frankly to claims people smugglers were paid to turn boats back has annoyed Jakarta, which has demanded the allegations be taken seriously.
Indonesia's Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi personally sought an explanation from Australia's ambassador on Saturday.
But her counterpart Julie Bishop responded by holding a mirror up to Indonesia, saying its failure to secure its borders made the controversial policy necessary.
Ms Retno says she is still waiting for a frank reply.
"Actually, it's not difficult for Australia to answer my question from Saturday regarding the issue of payment, and not to distract on the issue," she told reporters by text message on Monday from Norway, where she is on official business.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Arrmanatha Nasir says Jakarta is shocked by Ms Bishop's view, but will avoid jumping to conclusions about the claims.
The local police investigation - which isn't complete - has so far received statements backing the allegations.
The next move would depend on Australia's response, he said.
"We're shocked by the response given by their foreign minister as we've seen in the media," he told AAP.
"Indonesia is very serious in handling borders and our maritime territory."
Ms Bishop told The Australian newspaper on Monday that the best way for Indonesia to resolve its concerns about Operation Sovereign Borders was to enforce sovereignty over its borders.
Mr Nasir argued Indonesia's responsibility extended over 3.2 million square kilometres of sea compared to Australia's 58,000 square kilometres.
"The priority of foreign ministry of Indonesia, the very first thing, is to maintain the sovereignty of Indonesia," he said.
"So, this is a very serious matter."
Indonesia's Vice President Jusuf Kalla says Australia's alleged actions amount to bribery - and worse - people trafficking.
"It was bribing, right?" he told reporters in Jakarta on Monday, as quoted by local website detik.com.
"People who bribe, that is already wrong.
"Wow, a state bribing, that certainly doesn't fit with the correct ethics in state relations."
Mr Kalla said it was arguable that Australia itself was acting as a smuggler, if the reports Australian officials paid six people smugglers $5,000 each are true.
But Mr Nasir stressed Jakarta was still investigating.
Not only had Ms Retno requested answers verbally, but a written request was sent to Canberra.
"At this moment, we don't want to make accusations," he said.
The International Organisation for Migration joined the chorus of voices asking whether Australia's alleged actions put it in bed with traffickers.
"Clearly helping people smugglers is not something that is supported by international conventions," IOM Leonard Doyle spokesperson told CNN.
"Indeed if they're traffickers by this point then that is something that would not be supported by anybody but we have to see what the facts are."
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