A Malaysian court on Monday ordered local authorities to return dozens of watches to stores seized last year during a crackdown on Swatches in LGBT+ colors, a lawyer told AFP. The 172 watches, worth a total of around $14,000, were seized from Swatch stores across Malaysia in May 2023. An official then explained that the watches were seized because they bore the acronym “LGBT+” and represented the six colors globally synonymous with the LGBT+ pride rainbow flag.
The government of Malaysia, where homosexuality is banned and LGBT+ people face widespread discrimination, subsequently banned rainbow-themed Swatch watches, warning that owners or sellers could face up to ‘to three years in prison.
“Harm the interests of the nation”
Authorities had claimed that the watches “could harm… the interests of the nation by promoting, supporting and normalizing the LGBTQ+ movement which is not accepted by the general public.” In its complaint challenging the seizure, Swatch explained that its products “do not promote any sexual activity, but simply a fun and joyful expression of peace and love.”
The Kuala Lumpur High Court ruled on Monday that the Interior Ministry must return the watches to Swatch within 14 days, government lawyer Sallehuddin Ali told AFP. “The judge also said that the ban order regarding the watches was only issued and published in August 2023, and this after the (watch) seizures that took place in May. So at the time of the seizure, the applicant (Swatch) had not committed any offence,” he added.
Interior Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said his ministry would honor the court order, adding that his legal team had to “examine the basis of the judgment” before a possible appeal against the decision.
