In a landmark ruling, a Malaysian court has directed the government to return 172 watches adorned with rainbow colors, which were confiscated from the Swiss watchmaker Swatch in May 2023. The authorities had seized the timepieces on grounds that they contained "LGBT elements," amidst a backdrop where homosexuality is criminalized in predominantly Muslim Malaysia, facing penalties up to 20 years in prison. The court determined that the government acted unlawfully as it lacked a warrant for the confiscation and that a sale prohibition law was only enacted after the raid.
Government Ordered to Return Confiscated Swatch Watches Featuring LGBT Colors
Government Ordered to Return Confiscated Swatch Watches Featuring LGBT Colors
A Malaysian court mandates the return of 172 rainbow watches seized from Swatch due to alleged LGBT associations, highlighting the tension between legal proceedings and societal norms.
Home Affairs Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail stated that the government is reviewing the legal ruling and may consider an appeal, while recognizing the imperative to respect the court's decision to avoid accusations of contempt. The minster emphasized the need for a thorough examination of the judgment's basis before deciding on the appeal process.
The seizures transpired before any formal prohibition was declared, which led the court to assert that Swatch committed no infraction at that time. Despite the return of the watches valued at $14,000 (£10,700), the items remain barred from sale due to the prohibition that was put in place afterwards. The authorities have been ordered to return the watches within 14 days, as stated by government prosecutor Mohammad Sallehuddin Md Ali in the Kuala Lumpur High Court.
Swatch initiated legal actions against the Malaysian government in June 2023, defending that its products do not disrupt public order or violate moral standards. The company has previously remarked that the Pride flag epitomizes humanity and inclusivity, while the Malaysian government has argued that the watches could undermine national interests by endorsing and normalizing the LGBTQ+ movement, which faces widespread opposition among the populace.
Although the Swatch Group has chosen not to offer comments at this stage, the outcome of this situation underscores the complex interplay between legal processes and societal attitudes concerning LGBTQ+ rights in Malaysia.
The seizures transpired before any formal prohibition was declared, which led the court to assert that Swatch committed no infraction at that time. Despite the return of the watches valued at $14,000 (£10,700), the items remain barred from sale due to the prohibition that was put in place afterwards. The authorities have been ordered to return the watches within 14 days, as stated by government prosecutor Mohammad Sallehuddin Md Ali in the Kuala Lumpur High Court.
Swatch initiated legal actions against the Malaysian government in June 2023, defending that its products do not disrupt public order or violate moral standards. The company has previously remarked that the Pride flag epitomizes humanity and inclusivity, while the Malaysian government has argued that the watches could undermine national interests by endorsing and normalizing the LGBTQ+ movement, which faces widespread opposition among the populace.
Although the Swatch Group has chosen not to offer comments at this stage, the outcome of this situation underscores the complex interplay between legal processes and societal attitudes concerning LGBTQ+ rights in Malaysia.
