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Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution, in an immediate response, said
the government will wait for the court's full judgment before
deciding whether to appeal.
The Kuala Lumpur High Court ruled that the watches were seized
illegally without a warrant, the Bernama national news agency
said. The court ordered the watches to be returned within 14
days and said Swatch can demand compensation if the watches were
damaged, Bernama reported.
Swatch officials couldn't be immediately reached for comments.
Predominantly Muslim Malaysia criminalizes same-sex
relationships, with punishments ranging from caning under
Islamic laws to 20 years in prison for sodomy under colonial-era
civil laws.
Authorities raided Swatch outlets in various malls across
Malaysia in May last year, seizing watches from the Pride
Collection. The watches come in various designs, some with
rainbow colors on their straps and others in a choice of six
single colors that correlate to the gay pride flag. Swatch
contested allegations that the watches were harmful, saying they
carried a message of peace and love.
A few months after the seizure, the government banned all Swatch
products that contain lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or
queer elements — including watches, wrappers and boxes. The ban
was made part of a printing law that includes distribution and
possession, amid concerns that such products were detrimental to
the nation’s morality. Anyone found with one could be jailed for
up to three years or face a fine.
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