A Malaysian court has directed the government to return 172 rainbow-themed watches seized from Swiss watchmaker Swatch in 2023.
The confiscation was deemed unlawful as it occurred before a legal order banning their sale was enacted.
Authorities had seized the timepieces, valued at $14,000 (£10,700), citing their inclusion of “LGBT elements,” which is controversial in Muslim-majority Malaysia, where homosexuality is illegal and punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
However, the court ruled that the seizure violated legal protocols, as it was carried out without a warrant and before the prohibition order was issued in August 2023.
Swatch had not breached any law at the time of the raids in May 2023.
Government prosecutor Mohammad Sallehuddin Md Ali announced that the items must be returned within 14 days, though the ban on selling the watches remains in effect.
Swatch, which launched legal action in June 2023, argued that its products do not disrupt public order or morality, describing the Pride flag as a universal “symbol of humanity that speaks for all genders and races.”
The company also claimed the seizure harmed its reputation and business.
Malaysia’s Home Affairs Minister, Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, stated that the government respects the court’s decision but is evaluating whether to appeal.
“The ministry will thoroughly examine the judgment’s basis before making a decision,” he said, adding that failing to respect the ruling could be seen as contempt of court.
Malaysian authorities had previously justified the raids by claiming the watches “may harm… the interests of the nation by promoting, supporting, and normalizing the LGBTQ+ movement,” a stance they said is widely opposed by the public.
Swatch disputed this, insisting the watches did not feature the LGBTQ acronym and posed no legal or moral violations.
Source-BBC
