Malaysia: Press Conference Exposes the Reasons Behind the Unlawful Removal of a Falun Gong Billboard

Falun Gong practitioners hosted a press conference on July 3rd, 2007, to protest the action taken by Anpang Jaya City Council to have a "Falun Dafa is Good" billboard taken down. The billboard stood alongside the No. 2 Ring Road in Kuala Lumpur and was taken down by the billboard company before the contract expired.

Falun Gong practitioner Ms. Chen calls on the Malaysian government to be aware of how the Chinese Communist Party wields its control in Malaysia

The press conference was held underneath the billboard, where the sign reading "Falun Dafa is Good" had been taken down. Over 30 Falun Gong practitioners rallied in the busy location beside the highway holding banners printed with, "Condemn Chinese Communist Party Extending the Persecution into Malaysia," "Condemn Discrimination Against Falun Gong, Advertisement Board Taken Down Unlawfully." Many cars slowed down to look at the banners and the press conference underway.

Billboard Contract Had Been Extended to March 2008, But City Council Ignored It and Orders Sign Removed

Falun Gong practitioners had extended the contract for the sign until March 2008, but on June 19th, 2007, Anpang Jaya City Council sent a letter to the billboard company requiring them to take the sign down by June 27th.

Practitioners immediately contacted city officials. One high level city administrator told the practitioners to contact Eric Ong, the president of Ma Hua Dan Ban district, but refused to release Ong's telephone number. A City Council member also suggested contacting Eric Ong. The practitioners went to Ong's office, but he refused to meet with them, giving no explanation. Practitioners believe that Ong's refusal to meet with them is clear indication of the role he has played in the matter.

The "Falun Dafa is good" billboard was first put up at this busy highway location alongside the No. 2 Ring Road in 2004. There has been much interference since then. At the end of 2005, the board was covered in paint, and the sign had to be replaced. In June 2006, several local Chinese newspapers reported that Eric Ong hosted a press conference complaining about the billboard. Ong said his organisation would complain to the City Council, the City Engineering Department and the Department of the Interior to have the billboard taken down. Ong wrote a defamatory letter to City Council repeating Chinese Communist Party (CCP) propaganda to turn public opinion against Falun Gong. Dafa practitioners clarified the facts to city officials, and the billboard remained in position.

The billboard was erected with all necessary permits in place. The board had been standing for three years.

Pressure from the Chinese Embassy

Falun Gong practitioners believe the source of the pressure is the Chinese Embassy. Since the persecution of Falun Gong began in China in 1999, the Chinese Embassy has applied pressure relentlessly, attempting to interfere with Falun Gong activities in Malaysia. Examples include pressure to keep Falun Gong from registering as a legal entity, harassment of practitioners protesting in front of the Chinese Embassy, attempts to persuade various groups to refuse to rent meeting space to Falun Gong practitioners, and constant attempts to have CCP propaganda published in the local media. It seems clear that the billboard was taken down because of interference from the Embassy as well.

In the press conference the practitioners stated the following:

1. The Malaysian government ought to allow practitioners to have their contract honoured and put the billboard back in place. Eric Ong and other Chinese officials should learn the truth about Falun Gong and not be deceived by CCP propaganda. They should not interfere with Falun Gong activities.


2. The Malaysian government must be aware of the matter and realise how the CCP has infiltrated into Malaysia.


3. People of all walks of life should not assist the CCP to extend its persecution into Malaysia.

Suspicious Man at the Press Conference

Reporters, police and some City Council members from Anpang Jaya attended the press conference. There was also a suspicious Chinese man present who photographed many of the practitioners. When asked which media he was from, he said he was just curious, and then disappeared quickly. Because people working for the CCP have interfered and spied on Falun Gong activities in the past, practitioners are led to believe that the man was actually spying for the CCP.

The practitioners intend to complain to the Malaysia China Association Public Service Department. They hope that Eric Ong and other officials from the Malaysia China Association will learn the truth about Falun Gong and not comply with the CCP to interfere with Falun Gong activities.