The provincial authorities have decided to escort the asylum seeker boat back despite a memo from Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla issued on Wednesday instructing Aceh Governor Zaini Abdullah to temporarily host the asylum seekers for food and boat repairs, the Jakarta Globe reported.

The group of 44 Tamil refugees, consisting of 20 men, 15 women including a pregnant woman and nine children was stranded in Lhoknga Coast after the engine of their Indian-flagged boat broke down and drifted to the shore on June 11. The group had set out from India and had been travelling for 20 days.

The group illegally migrating to Australia remained on the boat after it was left stranding for six days as the Aceh authorities dis not allow them to disembark.

Aceh authorities said they have delivered several packages of food, medicine and mineral water to the boat, adding that medics also checked the health of the asylum seekers.

Aceh Police chief Inspector General Husein Hamidi on Thursday said the boat will be returned to international waters now that repairs are complete. A Sabang Navy ship, tugboat will be used in the "push-off process."

Hamidi said the Aceh administration gave 7 tons of fuel to the boat to continue their trip, adding that it is up to the asylum seekers where they go next.