Malaysia declares authorities' confiscation of LGBTQ-themed Swatch watches was illegal

[Trendiggity]

 

Swatch just ticked itself into a win in Malaysia. The Kuala Lumpur High Court in the country's capital recently ruled that the government's seizure of 172 LGBTQ-themed Swatch watches was illegal.

 

The watches, part of the brand's Pride Collection, were taken by authorities back in May 2023 from 16 different stores across the country due to their rainbow-colored designs and use of the acronym “LGBTQ.”

 

Now, the court has ordered the government to return the watches within 14 days, making this a notable victory for the Swiss watchmaker.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The watches, adorned with vibrant rainbow colors to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community, became the target of government raids at several malls across Malaysia. Authorities argued that the designs promoted LGBTQ themes, which are a contentious issue in the country, where homosexuality is still criminalized. The raid was part of a broader crackdown on LGBTQ expression, ostensibly to protect public morality.

 

But the court found that the seizure lacked proper legal grounds, pointing out that no warrant was used, and that the ban on Pride watches was only enforced after the seizure had already occurred.

 

The government attempted to justify the seizure by referencing the Printing Presses and Publications Act, a law that allows for hefty fines or up to three years in jail for possessing prohibited materials. However, Swatch pushed back, arguing that these watches were simply symbols of love and inclusivity, with no intent to cause harm. The court ultimately agreed with Swatch, ordering the return of the items, although no damages were awarded to the company.

 

Swatch Group took the legal route after the raids, filing a lawsuit challenging the legality of the seizure. The company claimed that the government’s actions were not only unlawful but also damaging to their reputation. While the ruling did not include any compensation for potential damage to the watches, Swatch may pursue additional action if the returned items are found to be in poor condition.

 

Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail responded to the court's ruling by saying that the government would review the full judgment before deciding on any further actions.

 

• https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/malaysian-court-orders-return-swatch-lgbtq-themed-watches-2024-11-25/ 
• https://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2024/11/25/malaysian-court-orders-return-of-seized-lgbtq-themed-swatch-watches/ 
• https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/malaysia-home-ministry-seized-swatch-malaysia-lgbt-rainbow-colours-pride-return-4768866 
• https://apnews.com/article/226f2c9098f87149c05a95f1a9ee1540 

 

Images: Swatch