Swiss watchmaker Swatch emerged victorious in a legal battle against the Malaysian government, as a court ruling on Monday mandated the return of 172 Swatch watches that were confiscated last year. The watches were seized due to alleged LGBT elements in their designs, according to authorities.
The Kuala Lumpur High Court determined that the watches were unlawfully seized without a warrant. As a result, the court ordered the watches to be returned within 14 days and specified that Swatch could seek compensation if any damage had occurred to the timepieces during the confiscation.
Following the court's decision, the Malaysian Home Minister expressed that the government would await the full judgment before considering a potential appeal.
The watches in question were part of Swatch's Pride Collection, featuring various designs that included rainbow colors on straps and single colors corresponding to the gay pride flag. Swatch maintained that the watches conveyed messages of peace and love, refuting claims that they were harmful.
Last year, authorities conducted raids on Swatch outlets in multiple Malaysian malls, seizing watches from the Pride Collection. Subsequently, the government imposed a ban on all Swatch products containing elements related to the LGBTQ community, encompassing watches, wrappers, and boxes. This ban was integrated into a printing law that encompassed distribution and possession, citing concerns about the perceived impact of such products on the nation's moral values.
Malaysia, a predominantly Muslim country, enforces strict laws against same-sex relationships, with penalties ranging from caning under Islamic laws to lengthy prison sentences for sodomy under colonial-era civil statutes. Possession of Swatch products deemed to have LGBTQ elements could result in imprisonment for up to three years or fines.
