REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, YANGON -- Fifty five fishermen from Indonesia finally got remission from the Government of the Republic of Myanmar.

The 55 Indonesia citizens (WNI) previously had been sentenced to four to six years in prison and had been languishing for more than one year in prison in Yangon, Myanmar on charges of entering and fishing in the maritime region of Myanmar illegally (illegal fishing).

Furthermore, 55 WNI will be returned to Indonesia on Monday, June 8, by the Indonesian Embassy in Yangon.

Indonesian Ambassador to Myanmar, Ito Sumardi said, the remission granted by Myanmar Government on May 28, 2015 and subsequently freeing all WNI to be able to return to Indonesia.

He said, the remission was the result of Indonesian government's commitment in providing protection for the citizens, both by the Directorate of Protection of Indonesian Citizens and Indonesian Legal Entities of Foreign Affairs Ministry or the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Yangon.

"Even in a bilateral visit to Secretary of Foreign Affairs Minister of Myanmar on May 21, 2015, the Foreign Affairs Minister also raised the request for remission for 55 Indonesian fishermen as one of the points of conversation. I think, this is the result of the talks," said Ito Sumardi, in a written statement to ROL, on Saturday, June 6.

All 55 fishermen would return to Jakarta by Malaysia Airlines MH 849 accompanied by Executive of Consular Function of Indonesian Embassy in Yangon.

The remission could also take place with the support of the PT. Fishindo Citra Samudera, the company which was employed 46 of the 55 Indonesian fishermen. Meanwhile, the cost of nine other Indonesian was borne by the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

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