Malaysia makes wearing pro-LGBTQ+ Swatch watches punishable by jail time

• Malaysia criminalizes Swatch watches.
• Owning one of the pro-LGBTQIA+ watches is a crime.
• The government says it affects morale.

Harsh repression in Malaysia. People wearing pro-LGBTQ+ Swatch watches face jail time in Malaysia, according to a recent report by the AP.

Malaysia has sent shockwaves around the world by announcing a prison sentence of up to three years for possessing any item that supports the LGBTQ community.

All products by Swatch featuring LGBTQ elements, including watches and their packaging, have been banned.

This new law was reported by the Federal Gazette, with claims that such products undermine the nation’s moral fabric.

Malaysia makes wearing pro-LGBTQ Swatches a crime

A predominantly Muslim nation, Malaysia, already penalizes same-sex relationships, according to the AP.

Punishments for such relationships include caning under Islamic law and a staggering 20-year prison sentence.

For alleged sodomy, gay individuals can be sentenced to two decades in prison.

These penalties for sodomy harken back to the country’s colonial-era laws.

The government raids Swatch stores

In a startling turn of events in May of this year, Malaysian authorities conducted raids on Swatch stores across the nation.

During these operations, over 160 watches from Swatch’s Pride collection were confiscated.

Some of these watches bore the iconic rainbow colors that symbolize gay pride universally.

Others showcased a palette of six distinct hues, mirroring the Pride flag.

Swatch’s response to the controversy

Swatch refuted claims of their watches being harmful, asserting that they convey a message of peace and love.

The Swiss watchmaker subsequently filed a lawsuit against the Malaysian government, demanding the return of the confiscated watches and seeking damages.

Possession of a Swatch watch could now lead to a three-year jail term or a hefty fine in Malaysia.

The fine, amounting to a maximum of 200,000 ringgit (approximately $4,375 US), places a substantial burden on the individual.

Harsh government measures

The Home Ministry’s statement emphasized that these products could be «detrimental to morality.»

Authorities argue that these watches support and normalize the LGBTQ movement, a concept they say is at odds with the public interest.

LGBTQ activists have vehemently criticized the Malaysian government’s actions against Swatch products.

Swatch, founded in 1983 by Ernst Thomke, Elmar Mock and Jacques Müller, remains embroiled in this contentious issue.

Malaysia’s stance against the LGBTQ community

Preceding the Swatch controversy, the Malaysian government was already embroiled in an anti-LGBTQ uproar.

In July of this year, the government shut down a music festival in Kuala Lumpur.

This abrupt halt followed a defiant onstage kiss between members of the British band The 1975.

The kiss symbolized a protest against the country’s anti-homosexuality laws.

Commendation for The 1975’s protest

The 1975’s same-sex kiss resonated globally and was praised by millions worldwide.

The government’s backlash against this act laid bare the struggles faced by LGBTQ individuals in Malaysia.

In response, the Malaysian government imposed a ban on the band, prompting the cancellation of their remaining performances.

The images of the kiss reverberated among fans worldwide and sparked outrage among the public in Malaysia.