Malaysia bans Swiss watch maker’s LGBTQ products
The Home Ministry in Malaysia, a Muslim-majority conservative Southeast Asia country where homosexuality is illegal, punishable by punishments such as caning and imprisonment, announced that it has banned all Swiss watchmaker Swatch products that contain any LGBTQ elements, whether on watches, boxes or wrappers.
The ministry said the ban has been implemented under the Printing Presses and Publications (Prohibition of Undesirable Publications) Order 2023, noting that the Swatch products are “likely to be prejudicial to morality.” “(The Swatch products) have been banned as they are detrimental, or possibly detrimental, to morality, public interest and national interest by promoting, supporting and normalizing the LGBTQ movement, which is not accepted by the general public of Malaysia,” the ministry said in its announcement. “The home ministry again states its commitment to ensure public safety and peace by monitoring and controlling all forms of publications to curb the spread of elements, teachings and movements that contradict the local socio-cultural setup,” the statement continued.
In its announcement, the Malaysian government also warned that anyone found with or owns any such products produced by Swatch could face up to three years in jail or a maximum fine of RM20,000 ($4,372.06), or both, if convicted.
In May of this year, Malaysian authorities seized watches bearing the letters “LGBT” but, according to a lawsuit filed in July by the Swiss company, also confiscated watches from its 2023 Pride collection.
