Government Raids Swatch Stores Over Rainbow Watches Supporting LGBTQIA+
Last week, British rockbank Coldplay dominated Malaysians headlines due to efforts by fans to secure tickets to their upcoming concert as well as calls from a political leader from Islamist party PAS to cancel the concert. Nasrudin Hassan, a PAS central working committee member protested the concert in a Facebook post, which was accompanied by images of the band’s lead vocalist Chris Martin holding a rainbow flag.
The rainbow flag, also known as the pride flag, is a symbol of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex, asexual, and more (LGBTIA+) pride movements. A Facebook user also posted images of Swatch watches in rainbow colours, and urged Malaysians to throw them away.
“You don’t have to wait for Coldplay. Whoever is wearing Swatch watches can throw them away now!” The Swatch Pride collection features numerous designs in rainbow colours that channels the Pride flag.
According to The Edge, after the post went viral and was brought to the attention of authorities, numerous Swatch stores in the country were raided. On 13 and 14 May, the Ministry of Home Affairs, (KDN) seized the colourful timepieces. Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, One Utama, Sunway Pyramid, Setia City Mall, Mid Valley Megamall, Southkey, Sunway Putra Mall, Sogo KL, Queensbay, Fahrenheit 88, and Suria Sabah were among the stores that were raided. Other five stores received warnings: KTCC (Terengganu), Aeon KB, Aman Central Kedah, City Square, and Viva City Kuching.
The CEO of Swatch Group, Nick Hayek Jr has responded to the raids and Swatch Group is making appeals for the confiscated watches to be returned.
"Since the creation of the brand, Swatch is proud and known to be the canvas on the wrist for all people worldwide, and for the many artists that are working with us. Creativity and colours paired with our Swiss-made quality watches are what we are loved for," he said.
He added, "We strongly contest that our collection of watches that use rainbow colours and carry a message of peace and love could be harmful to whomever. On the contrary, Swatch always gives a positive message of joy in life.”
Hayek continued, "This is nothing political. We wonder how the Enforcement and Control Division at the Ministry of Home Affairs will confiscate the many beautiful natural rainbows that show up thousands of times a year in the sky of Malaysia."
Outspoken lawyer and activist Siti Kasim has voiced her thoughts on the issue, calling it ‘bonkers’.
SWATCH RAID - Will these people try to arrest God for his creation? #bonkers #Swatch pic.twitter.com/bmRbBW7Yf8
— Siti Kasim (@sitikasim) May 22, 2023
Another Twitter user appeared to support the move, asking people to “respect the religion, culture, & laws of our country.”
@Swatch LGBT is not allowed in Malaysia & banned by Islam. No religion allows same-sex relationships. Please don't bring the inverse lifestyle into our country. Please respect the religion, culture & laws of our country. tQ https://t.co/votUzP9iPe
— ? دودول ⓓⓄⓓⓄⓛ (@encikISWAN) May 23, 2023
Image credit: Swatch Malaysia via The Edge, swatch.com