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Writer's pictureBy The Financial District

Owning LGBTQ Swatch In Malaysia Means 3-Year Imprisonment

Malaysia’s government said that all Swatch products that contain lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer elements — including watches, wrappers, and boxes — were banned, warning that anyone found with one could be jailed for up to three years, the Associated Press (AP) reported.

Photo Insert: In May, authorities raided Swatch stores and confiscated more than 160 watches from its Pride Collection.



The ban has been published in the Federal Gazette — which makes it official — as part of a printing law that includes distribution and possession, citing concerns that such products were detrimental to the nation’s morality.


Malaysia, which is predominantly Muslim, already criminalizes same-sex relationships, with punishments ranging from caning under Islamic laws to 20 years in prison for sodomy under colonial-era civil laws, NBC News also reported.


In May, authorities raided Swatch stores and confiscated more than 160 watches from its Pride Collection.


Some of the watches have rainbow colors while others are in a choice of six single colors that correlate to the gay pride flag, with two rainbow loops on their straps. Swatch contested allegations that the watches were harmful, saying they carried a message of peace and love.


All the news: Business man in suit and tie smiling and reading a newspaper near the financial district.

The Swiss watchmaking company has sued the government for damages and for the return of the watches. It is not known whether Malaysia would also ban rainbows, which also carriers all the Pride colors beloved by members of the LGBTQ community worldwide.





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