Indonesia: Governor of Sumatra Proclaims Falun Dafa to be a "National Mass Sport"

On July 18, 2004, Governor of Sumatra Utara Mr. Rizal Nurdin proclaimed Falun Gong to a National Mass Sport that transcends nationalities, beliefs and is non-political.

Falun Dafa practitioners participate in a parade on National Day

After Jiang's regime began the persecution of Falun Gong in China in 1999, citizens in the city of Medan, Indonesia were misled by Jiang regime's lies about Falun Gong spread by the local media. Local government and Chinese associations dared not get in touch with Falun Gong practitioners. The Chinese Embassy constantly pressured the government at different levels to ban Falun Gong.

After Falun Gong practitioners in Medan explained the truth, the Ministry of Youth Physical Education in Sumatra Utara approved the registration of a local Falun Dafa Association (a branch of the Indonesia Falun Dafa Association), and acknowledged the legality of Falun Gong in Medan. Medan practitioners made further efforts to explain to different levels of government about the persecution of Falun Gong in China, and the benefits of Falun Gong to people's physical and mental well being. On July 18th, 2004, the fifth year of Jiang's regime's persecution of Falun Gong, Governor of Sumatra Utara Mr Rizal Nurdin proclaimed Falun Gong as one of the national mass sports.

On August 17th, 2004, the National Day of Indonesia, Falun Gong practitioners were invited to participate in the National Day parade. Medan practitioners took part on a beautifully decorated float.

Every day, at 5:00pm, a group of Indonesian and Chinese would practice Falun Gong in Lapangan Merdeka in front of the city government of Medan. People familiar with them all know that they are practicing a Chinese traditional cultivation method. They have been practicing there for several years, and many people have learned the practice as a result.