Indonesia's foreign minister has asked Australia's ambassador to give an explanation on claims authorities paid a boat crew to return to Indonesian waters.
Retno Marsudi approached Paul Grigson - who has just returned to Indonesia after his withdrawal over the executions of two citizens - at a conference in Jakarta on Saturday.
"I just asked him what is it about, tell me what is it about," she told reporters.
"He promised to take my inquiry, my questions, to Canberra and he promised to get back to me again."
Indonesia is doing its own probe into the claims the navy paid six crew members of a boat carrying 65 asylum seekers $US5000 ($A6450) each to turn back.
The minister says police in Rote have relayed the same information.
Jakarta's next move would depend on the outcome of the investigations and inquiries with the ambassador, she said.
"I made use of the opportunity to talk to him directly because we are really concerned, if it is confirmed," she said.
Two senior Australian ministers have denied the claim but the prime minister has not.
