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Reuters

Bloomberg

A Malaysian court ordered the government on Monday to return rainbow-coloured watches and accessories made by Swatch Group that were seized last year for designs celebrating LGBTQ rights, a prosecutor said.
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-coloured 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.
Swatch Group filed a lawsuit challenging the seizure of the watches worth 64,795 ringgit (US$14,550), saying it was illegal and damaged its reputation.
On Monday, government prosecutor Mohammad Sallehuddin Md Ali said the Kuala Lumpur High Court had ruled the watches must be returned to Swatch Group within 14 days.
A lawyer for Swatch Group declined to comment on the decision.

Malaysian Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution said he would study the report on the judgment before making a decision on the government’s next move.
“My initial reaction is, on principle, the ministry should respect the court’s decision,” he told journalists on the sidelines of a government event on Monday.
The watches are unlikely to be sold in Malaysia due to the government’s prohibition order.
In July 2023, the government halted a music festival in Kuala Lumpur after the frontman of British pop rock band The 1975 kissed a male bandmate onstage.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who came into power two years ago on a progressive campaign, has said LGBTQ rights will not be recognised by his administration.


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Southeast Asia

The decision comes after the government banned LGBTQ references on Swatch products, citing concerns about morality and public interest


The decision comes after the government banned LGBTQ references on Swatch products, citing concerns about morality and public interest.
