Indonesian police are preparing for more asylum seekers to risk joining boats for Australia, as the journey of a father and son stranded in Bali reveals a different path.
Police in West Java are working with Australian Federal Police in the case of 18 men whose boat failed to reach Christmas Island and washed up last Wednesday.
Three Indonesians who crewed the boat are likely to be charged, Cianjur police chief Asep Guntur Rahayu says.
"We're investigating whether they have a formal work contract or if they're in a well-managed organisation or perhaps they were not really organised," he told AAP.
"It's most likely that this is related with the (leadership) succession happening in Australia.
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"They're gambling on trying to enter (Australia) again ... we're anticipating further attempts."
Meanwhile, Bali authorities have revealed the plight of a father and son from Myanmar's troubled Rakhine state, who were persuaded to set out from Malaysia for Australia on September 13, before the leadership spill in Canberra.
Denpasar Immigration office head Ferry Monang Sihite says Mamat, 29, and his son Joo Nai, 10, fled the country formerly known as Burma for Malaysia in 2007.
They have UNHCR documentation, Mr Ferry says, but desperate to be resettled in Australia, were convinced to leave for Indonesia by boat with about 40 others.
Mr Ferry says they told him they paid 3000 Malaysian Ringgit ($A967) and were hidden in a warehouse on reaching Indonesia's Batam Island.
After three days they were taken by plane to Surabaya, a city in east Java.
"Again they were placed in a warehouse for three days," he said.
"They were promised to be taken to Australia with a further payment of Rp 5 million ($484).
"Because they didn't have the money, they were taken to Bali by bus.
"This is a common modus operandi for people smugglers, knowing they don't have money, to deceive them with the promise of a ticket and the promise to meet them in Bali."
Immigration officials were seeking assistance for the father and son from the International Organisation for Migration.
