THE government has banned the publication of content related to and themed lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) on Swatch-branded watches.

In a statement, the Home Ministry said the ban is being enacted under section 7 of the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 and that a gazette had been issued.

It said the ban covers the publication of any collection, including boxes, wrappers, accessories or any other related items.

“It stipulates that printing, importing, reproducing, publishing, selling, producing, circulating, distributing or possession of the publication involved is prohibited in Malaysia,” it said.

The ministry said section 8(2) of the same act provides for punishments for selling, distributing or owning banned materials, which include up to three years in jail, a fine of up to RM20,000, or both.

“According to section 8(2) of the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 (Amendment) 2012, any individual who prints, imports, produces, reproduces, publishes, sells, produces, circulates, offers for sale, distributes or possesses for any such purpose any publication that falls under the ban order commits an offence. If convicted, the offender may be imprisoned for a term not exceeding three years or fined not more than RM20,000, or both,” it said.

In May, the ministry reportedly conducted raids on 11 Swatch watch boutiques in several states and confiscated collections featuring rainbow themes that are often associated with the LGBT community. – August 10, 2023.