Malaysia: Falun Dafa Practitioners Participate in the 2005 Malacca Dragon Boat Competition

The annual Malacca Dragon Boat Competition took place on June 12th, 2005. This is the fourth time that Malaysian Falun Gong practitioners have participated in this event to promote traditional Chinese culture. Sixteen teams from Singapore and Malaysia attended the competition, including two teams formed by men and women Malaysian Falun Dafa practitioners, respectively.

Setting up the awning and displaying informational materials about Falun Gong	Talking with an official from Ministry of the Interior
Practitioners in the men's team	Practitioners in the women's team (middle)
Go team!	Award given to the women practitioners' team

Before the competition began, practitioners set up two awnings, as well many display boards showing photographs and information about Falun Gong. They also prepared lots of handouts and put them on the tables. Some tourists and local citizens stopped by and read them. Some practitioners then gave brief introductions and answered their questions. In addition, practitioners also prepared a good number of balloons imprinted with the words, "Falun Dafa is great" and gave them to children.

Practitioners felt that this event is different from previous ones. Officials from the Ministry of Interior used to restrict practitioners from displaying and distributing leaflets and information. But this time, the practitioners met with them several times and talked to them about Falun Gong and the persecution. When practitioners talked with these officials again, they found that the officials became very positive and supportive.