Malaysian court orders return of seized LGBTQ-themed Swatch watches

A Malaysian court has ordered the government to return 172 rainbow-coloured watches from the Swiss watchmaker Swatch Group’s Pride collection.

The watches, seized in May 2023 for featuring LGBTQ-themed designs, must be returned within 14 days, a government prosecutor told Reuters on 25 November.

The seizure was part of a broader government effort to curb LGBTQ expression in Malaysia, where homosexuality is illegal. Rights groups have raised concerns about increasing intolerance toward the LGBTQ community in the Muslim-majority nation.

Authorities confiscated the watches from 16 Swatch outlets, citing concerns about the acronym “LGBTQ” on the timepieces. The government later banned all references to LGBTQ themes on Swatch watches, packaging, and accessories, claiming these items could harm public morality and interest.

Swatch Group responded by filing a lawsuit against the government, arguing that the confiscation was unlawful and had tarnished the company’s reputation. The Kuala Lumpur High Court sided with the watchmaker on Monday, though no orders for costs were issued, said government prosecutor Mohammad Sallehuddin Md Ali.

Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail stated that the government respects the court’s ruling but will await the full judgement before deciding whether to appeal. Despite the victory, the watches are unlikely to be sold in Malaysia due to an existing prohibition on LGBTQ-themed products.

A Swatch Group lawyer declined to comment on the court’s decision.

The case highlights a broader pattern of government actions against LGBTQ visibility in Malaysia. In July 2023, the government cancelled a music festival in Kuala Lumpur after the lead singer of British band The 1975 kissed a male bandmate on stage, sparking backlash.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who assumed office two years ago with a reformist campaign, has made it clear that LGBTQ rights will not be recognised under his administration.