A Malaysian court has deemed the seizure unlawful, as no warrant was issued at the time, and a prohibition order came later.
Malaysia Court Orders Return of Seized Swatch Watches Featuring Rainbow Colors
Malaysia Court Orders Return of Seized Swatch Watches Featuring Rainbow Colors
Malaysian authorities must return 172 rainbow-themed timepieces seized from Swatch due to alleged "LGBT elements."
The Malaysian government has been instructed by a court to return 172 rainbow-colored watches that were seized from the Swiss watchmaker Swatch nearly a year ago. The watches, taken due to their association with "LGBT elements," were confiscated during raids at various Swatch retailers across the country, where homosexuality is illegal and considered a punishable offense under both secular and Islamic laws.
The High Court's ruling emphasized that the authorities acted without a warrant and that an order limiting the sale of the watches was not established until August 2023, months after the confiscation. Home Affairs Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail commented that the government's legal team will review the judgment to determine if they will appeal against it. He acknowledged that the government must abide by the court's decision to avoid potential contempt charges.
Following the court's directive, the authorities are required to return the seized watches, valued at approximately $14,000, within 14 days. However, even though the timepieces will be returned, they cannot be sold due to the existing prohibition order.
Swatch has contested the seizure since June 2023, arguing that their products do not disturb public order or morality. The Swiss company stated that they view the Pride flag as a universal symbol representing inclusivity and humanity, while the Malaysian government has claimed that the watches could endanger national interests by promoting the LGBTQ+ movement, which remains largely unaccepted by the general populace.
The Swatch Group did not provide comments following the court ruling. This ongoing legal battle signifies the tensions surrounding LGBTQ+ rights and representation in Malaysia, revealing the struggle between global corporate policies and local laws that prohibit such identities.
The High Court's ruling emphasized that the authorities acted without a warrant and that an order limiting the sale of the watches was not established until August 2023, months after the confiscation. Home Affairs Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail commented that the government's legal team will review the judgment to determine if they will appeal against it. He acknowledged that the government must abide by the court's decision to avoid potential contempt charges.
Following the court's directive, the authorities are required to return the seized watches, valued at approximately $14,000, within 14 days. However, even though the timepieces will be returned, they cannot be sold due to the existing prohibition order.
Swatch has contested the seizure since June 2023, arguing that their products do not disturb public order or morality. The Swiss company stated that they view the Pride flag as a universal symbol representing inclusivity and humanity, while the Malaysian government has claimed that the watches could endanger national interests by promoting the LGBTQ+ movement, which remains largely unaccepted by the general populace.
The Swatch Group did not provide comments following the court ruling. This ongoing legal battle signifies the tensions surrounding LGBTQ+ rights and representation in Malaysia, revealing the struggle between global corporate policies and local laws that prohibit such identities.
