KUALA LUMPUR – The Home Ministry holds the explicit authority to seize the “rainbow” watch from the Swatch brand, which features the symbol associated with the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) community, said Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
He said the confiscation had been carried out in strict accordance with the relevant legislation, under the watchful oversight of the ministry’s enforcement and control unit.
“I wish to clarify that the seizure was executed subsequent to a formal complaint from the public. It is worth noting that the company in question recognised the presence of an issue of violation and has subsequently taken legal action to address this matter in a court of law.
“So let’s settle it there (in court). I don’t want to comment more than that, but I want to emphasise that the confiscation was done in accordance with the law and using a clear source of authority,” he told a press conference following the ministry’s monthly assembly in Putrajaya earlier today.
Earlier this month, the ministry banned Swatch watches containing elements of LGBT, citing Section 7 of the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984.
On August 10, the ministry said it had gazetted a prohibition order against the publication and description of Swatch Pride watches, including their boxes, wrappers, accessories, and any other material.
The ban was implemented under Section 7 of the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984, which prohibits the product in Malaysia.
Any individual caught printing, importing, producing, publishing, selling, or being in possession of the watches may be charged with three years of imprisonment, a fine of no more than RM20,000, or both.
The charge is under Section (8)2 of the same act.
This comes after the ministry mounted raids at various Swatch outlets nationwide on May 13 and 14, which saw the seizure of models from Swatch’s Pride-themed watch collection. – August 22, 2023