Malaysia Bans Swatch LGBTQ+ Watches Ahead of State Polls
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Malaysia banned Swatch Group’s products which contain LGBTQ+ elements after confiscating pride-themed watches made by the Swiss company in May, as pressure mounts on Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s government to keep conservative voters happy.
The ban also applies to materials including boxes, wrappers and accessories related to LGBTQ+ themes, the home ministry said in a statement on Thursday. A person who owns, produces or distributes such products made by Swatch could face up to three years in jail or a maximum fine of 20,000 ringgit ($4,376), the ministry said.