Swatch can challenge Pride watch seizure, High Court rules

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): According to the Swiss company’s lawyer, the High Court court has ruled that Swatch can challenge the seizure of over 100 Pride-themed watches. The government in Malaysia, where homosexuality is illegal, has banned rainbow-themed Swatch timepieces, threatening owners or sellers with up to three years in prison. In May, authorities conducted raids on Swatch stores in 11 malls across Malaysia, confiscating 172 watches that they described as having “LGBT elements”.

The company’s lawyer, Nizam Bashir, stated that the Kuala Lumpur High Court has ruled on Wednesday (Aug 23) that Swatch can challenge the seizure via a judicial review. “The court has agreed to hear Swatch’s application for the return of the watches and damages,” he told AFP. A hearing is expected to be scheduled on Sept 6, added Nizam.

Swatch, in its lawsuit against the seizure, claimed that its “trading reputation has been damaged”. The company asserted that the watches did not promote sexual activity, but rather represented a fun and joyous expression of peace and love. The suit seeks the return of the items as well as unspecified damages.

The Malaysian government argued that these watches “may harm the interests of the nation by promoting, supporting, and normalising the LGBTQ+ movement that is not accepted by the general public”. The seizure was carried out based on Malaysia’s Printing Presses and Publications Act of 1984. – AFP