Malaysian court orders return of Swatch LGBTQ-themed watches
KUALA LUMPUR—A Malaysian court ordered the government on Monday to return rainbow-colored watches and accessories made by Swatch Group that were seized last year for designs celebrating LGBTQ rights, a prosecutor told Reuters.
Homosexuality is illegal in Muslim-majority Malaysia, and rights groups have warned of growing intolerance toward the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) community in the Southeast Asian country.
In May 2023, Malaysia confiscated 172 rainbow-colored watches from the Swiss watchmaker’s ‘Pride collection’ from 16 outlets due to the presence of the acronym ‘LGBTQ’ on the timepieces.
The government later prohibited any LGBTQ references on Swatch watches, boxes, wrappers, accessories or other items, saying such products may harm morality and public interest.
‘Illegal’
Swatch Group filed a lawsuit challenging the seizure, saying it was illegal and damaged its reputation.
On Monday, government prosecutor Mohammad Sallehuddin Md Ali said the Kuala Lumpur High Court had ruled that the watches must be returned to Swatch Group within 14 days.
“No order (was given) as to costs,” he said in a brief text message to Reuters.
