IN May, it was reported that the authorities had raided the Malaysian stores of Swiss watchmaker Swatch and confiscated items from its “Pride Collection” bearing the rainbow flag associated with the LGBT movement.

Yesterday, the government criminalised all Swatch timepieces and accessories bearing LGBT elements.

Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the order was enacted under section 7 of the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984.

The newly enacted provision states that the printing, importation, production, reproduction, publishing, sale, issue, circulation, distribution, or possession of Swatch watches with LGBTQ+ elements, which are likely to be prejudicial to morality, are prohibited in Malaysia.  As such, the penalty imposed upon conviction is a maximum three years in jail or a maximum of RM20,000 fine or both.

Section 7 gives the home minister absolute power over publishers.

Because the provision is new and does not apply retrospectively, the May raid on the Swatch stores were illegal.

So what does the new provision say about the law in Malaysia? Is the law regressing? – August 11, 2023.

* Matilda George reads The Malaysian Insight.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.