Malaysia’s government declared on Thursday that possession of any Swatch products featuring lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer themes is now prohibited. This includes watches, packaging, and boxes, with potential offenders facing up to three years in jail.
The ban, officially published in the Federal Gazette, has been incorporated as part of a printing law encompassing distribution and ownership. Authorities cited concerns that such items could negatively impact the nation’s moral values.
Given Malaysia’s predominantly Muslim population, the country already criminalizes same-sex relationships. Punishments for such relationships range from caning under Islamic law to a maximum of 20 years in prison for sodomy, as stipulated by colonial-era civil laws.
In a raid conducted in May, authorities seized over 160 watches from Swatch’s Pride Collection. The confiscated watches exhibit various designs, including rainbow colors and six single-colored options corresponding to the gay pride flag. The watches are adorned with two rainbow loops on their straps.
Swatch refuted claims that these watches were harmful, asserting that they convey a message of peace and love. The Swiss watchmaking company has taken legal action against the government, seeking compensation and the return of the confiscated watches.
The Ministry of Home Affairs released a statement indicating that these products promote and normalize the LGBTQ+ movement, which is not universally accepted by the general public. As a result, the ministry deemed them as “detrimental, or possibly detrimental, to morality, public interest, and national interest.”
Possession of such Swatch items now carries a potential sentence of up to three years in jail or a fine reaching 20,000 ringgit ($4,375).
In July, Malaysia abruptly halted a music festival in Kuala Lumpur after the lead singer of the British band The 1975 shared a kiss with a male bandmate during their performance. This gesture was intended as a protest against the country’s anti-LGBTQ+ laws. Footage of the kiss circulated on social media, sparking significant backlash within the country. As a consequence, Malaysia blacklisted the band and terminated their presence in the country. The band subsequently canceled performances in Jakarta and Taipei.
