2023-08-11 17:13:04
Wearing a rainbow-colored Swatch risks three years in prison
Because the watches have the colors of the gay and lesbian movement, the southeast Asian country makes it a punishable offense to own them. Swatch boss Hayek finds clear words.
Swatch store in the city of Putrajaya: The Swiss watch manufacturer has been targeted by the Malaysian authorities.
Foto: Vincent Thian (AP Photo)
The conflict between Malaysia and Swatch is escalating: Anyone who wears, sells, imports or distributes products from the Swiss watch brand with rainbow motifs – including watches, accessories or their packaging – must expect severe penalties. Not only is there a risk of imprisonment, but also a fine of up to 20,000 ringgit. That’s the equivalent of 3822 francs. This was announced by the Malaysian Ministry of the Interior on Thursday. As the authority specified, the prison sentence can be up to three years.
The government of the predominantly Muslim country accuses Swatch of selling LGBT-related items. This is detrimental to the moral order. LGBT stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans. The rainbow flag is a symbol of the lesbian and gay rights movement.
Homosexuality is a criminal offense in Malaysia if reported. If convicted, there is a risk of large fines and imprisonment of up to 20 years. «Swatch products were banned because they violate morality, the public interest and the national interest harm or could harm by promoting, supporting and normalizing the LGBT movement, which is not accepted by the general Malaysian public,” the Interior Ministry said.
1984 law as a basis
The agency cites the 1984 Printing Machines and Publications Act: “The Malaysian government reaffirms its commitment to ensuring public safety and peace by monitoring and controlling all forms of publication to ensure the dissemination of elements , to curb teachings and movements that contradict the local socio-cultural environment.”
The Interior Ministry’s announcement has a history: it went nationwide in May Raids on eleven Swatch stores. Police seized 172 rainbow-colored watches belonging to this year’s “Pride” collection. The value of the timepiece is the equivalent of almost 12,300 francs.
The raids made headlines around the world and prompted a strong reaction from Nick Hayek, CEO of Swatch’s parent company, the Swatch Group: “We emphatically deny that our rainbow-colored watch collection with a message of peace and love could be harmful to anyone. »
Swatch model “Stripe Fierce” in rainbow colors.
Foto: Swatch
Hayek rejected any political intentions and couldn’t resist a dig: “We wonder how the Interior Ministry intends to confiscate the many beautiful natural rainbows that appear in the Malaysian sky thousands of times a year.”
The Malaysian national company of Swatch described the confiscations as illegal and is taking legal action against the supreme court. This is the third highest instance in Malaysia, before the Federal Court and the Court of Appeal. When asked, the Swatch Group declined to comment on the current events and referred to the ongoing proceedings. “We are still waiting for a hearing,” said a company spokesman.
Activist: “Overreaction” by the government
Local LGBT activists see the authorities’ current measures as an example of how the rights of minorities are being pushed back. “The government’s decision to ban the ownership of LGBT-themed Swatches is not only an overreaction, but also a clear indication of broader state-sanctioned community discrimination,” Dhia Rezki Rohaizad, vice president of gay rights organization Jejaka, told the News channel CNN.
There is backsliding on gay rights in Malaysia, Dhia added. He referred to recent incidents such as the government’s decision to ban British band The 1975 from the country. The ban came after their lead singer Matty Healy criticized the country’s anti-LGBT laws and kissed a bandmate on stage in late July.
Malaysian gay rights groups disapproved of this action. They feared that Healy would encourage conservative forces and thus make life harder for the LGTB community.
Election poster in Kuala Lumpur showing Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Elections will be held in six states this weekend.
Foto: Vincent Thian (AP Photo)
The weekend will show how the sharper pace is received by the general public. Elections are coming up in six states. They are seen as a yardstick for the policies of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who leads a coalition of moderate parties.
The powerful opposition consists of religious and nationalist parties. They accuse Ibrahim of doing too little to protect Islamic values. The prime minister announced in early 2023 that he would not support LGBT rights.
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