THE Kuala Lumpur High Court ruled today Swatch can challenge the seizure of more than 100 Pride-themed watches, said the Swiss company’s lawyer.

The government has banned rainbow-themed Swatch timepieces, warning owners or sellers face up to three years in prison.

In May, authorities raided Swatch stores at 11 malls across the country, confiscating 172 watches they described as having “LGBT elements”.

The court ruled Swatch can challenge that seizure through a judicial review, the company’s lawyer Nizam Bashir told AFP.

“The court has agreed to hear Swatch’s application for the return of the watches and damages,” he said.

The court is expected to schedule a hearing on September 6, said Nizam.

In its suit challenging the seizure, Swatch said its “trading reputation has been damaged”.

“The watches did not promote any sexual activity, but merely a fun and joyous expression of peace and love,” it said in the suit, which seeks the return of the items as well as unspecified damages.

The government said the watches “may harm… the interests of the nation by promoting, supporting and normalising the LGBTQ+ movement that is not accepted by the general public”.

The seizure was based on the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984. – AFP, August 23, 2023.