Swiss watchmaker Swatch Group is suing the Malaysian government for seizing rainbow-colored watches that honor LGBT rights. The business claims that this action has hurt its reputation.
Although homosexuality is illegal in Malaysia, which has a mainly Muslim population, rights organizations have expressed concern about the growing intolerance of the LGBT community there.
Illegal Seizure of Over 100 Swatch Watches
The presence of the letters "LGBTQ" on the timepieces led Malaysian officials to seize watches from Swatch's "Pride collection" in May, according to the home minister.
According to court records, representatives of the Home Ministry "illegally" took 172 watches from 16 retailers, as reported by Reuters. The case was revealed for the first time on Monday by the Malay Mail, a Malaysian news website. It was filed on June 24 at the Kuala Lumpur high court.
According to the seizure letters given to Swatch, the watches may have violated Malaysian legislation by featuring or endorsing LGBTQ rights. Most of the seized timepieces, which have a combined retail value of 64,795 ringgit ($14,250.05), were devoid of 'LGBTQ' writing, according to Swatch.
Swatch claims that the seizures have "greatly jeopardized" its ability to conduct business in the nation and is requesting compensation and the restoration of the watches. The Kuala Lumpur high court will hear the matter on July 20.
Homosexuality in Malaysia
In Malaysia, homosexuality has resulted in imprisonment or caning. At a Halloween celebration that the LGBT community attended the year before, 18 people were imprisoned. Before significant provincial elections that will pit Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's progressive coalition against a predominantly conservative ethnic-Malay, Muslim alliance, the seizure and lawsuit were filed.
Anwar has once more come under fire from detractors in the lead-up to the polls for not doing more to defend Muslims' rights in Malaysia, a multiracial, multireligious country. Anwar was detained for almost ten years on claims of sodomy and corruption, which he vehemently rejected and claimed were politically driven.
This month, the prime minister has reaffirmed that his administration will defend Islamic beliefs. Additionally, he has stated that his administration will not recognize LGBT rights. Malaysia has a long history of discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people. Same-sex sexual activity is illegal under the Penal Code and can be punished by up to 20 years in prison with whipping.
Muslims may also be convicted in a court under Sharia law, which can impose even harsher penalties, including death. No laws in Malaysia protect LGBT people from discrimination or hate crimes. The government has taken steps to marginalize further the LGBT community, such as banning same-sex couples from adopting children.
The situation for LGBT people in Malaysia is particularly difficult for transgender people. They are often subjected to violence and discrimination, and they face significant barriers to accessing healthcare, education, and employment.
In recent years, some efforts have been made to improve the rights of LGBT people in Malaysia. In 2021, the Federal Court struck down a state law banning consensual same-sex conduct. However, this ruling did not affect the federal law criminalizing same-sex sexual activity, and LGBT people continue to face widespread discrimination and violence.
The government of Malaysia has a long way to go to ensure the rights of LGBT people. Until then, LGBT people in Malaysia will live in fear and uncertainty.
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