May 29, 2025 11:03 pm
Full News

Malaysian Court Orders Government to Return Seized Swatch LGBT Watches

A Malaysian court has directed the government to return 172 rainbow-themed watches seized from Swiss watchmaker Swatch last year.

The authorities confiscated the watches, citing their “LGBT elements,” as homosexuality is illegal in Malaysia, a Muslim-majority country, and punishable by up to 20 years in prison. However, the court ruled the seizure was unlawful since the government lacked a warrant, and the law banning their sale was enacted only after the raid.

Home Affairs Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail stated the government would review the judgment’s basis before deciding on an appeal. He emphasized the importance of respecting the court’s decision to avoid accusations of contempt.

The raids on Swatch outlets occurred in May 2023, but the prohibition order on selling the watches was only issued in August. The court determined that Swatch had not violated any law at the time of the confiscation.

Although the court ordered the return of the watches—valued at $14,000 (£10,700)—within 14 days, the prohibition on their sale remains in effect.

Swatch filed a legal challenge in June 2023, arguing that the watches posed no threat to public order, morality, or the law. The company described the Pride flag as a universal symbol of inclusivity representing all genders and races.

Malaysian authorities, however, argued that the watches could harm national interests by promoting and normalizing the LGBTQ+ movement, which is widely rejected by the public. They also claimed the acronym “LGBTQ” appeared on the watches.

Swatch maintained that the seizure damaged its reputation and business. The Swatch Group declined to comment further on the ruling.

Homosexuality remains illegal under both secular and religious laws in Malaysia.

Related News
Unprecedented Crime Wave Grips Nation Under Yunus Regime
APEC Warns of Slowing Economic Growth Amid Rising Trade Tensions
Jordan Bans Muslim Brotherhood Over Security Concerns
World Bank Report Highlights Transformative Impact of Economic Inclusion Programs in 2024
Elton John Slams Marijuana Legalization: One of the Greatest Mistakes of All Time
Zelensky Proposes Nato Guarantees to End ‘Hot Stage’ of War in Ukraine
Related Posts
MIT Shuts Down DEI Office Amid National Debate and Trump Administration Pressure
GOP Lawmaker Introduces Bill to Rename D.C. Metro as “Trump Train”
Kamala Harris’s 2028 Nomination Is Hers to Lose — and She’s Losing It
Trump Sees Major Wins in Latin America
SpaceX Starship Setbacks Raise Concerns Over NASA’s 2027 Moon Mission
Lashkar-e-Taiba Claims Role in Bangladesh Uprising, Raising Alarms Over Regional Security
More News

CBI Chair Accuses UK Government of Treating Businesses as a ‘Cash Cow’ Over Workers’ Rights and Tax Hikes

LONDON – Confederation of British Industry (CBI) chair Rupert Soames has sharply criticized the UK government for treating employers as a “cash cow” in the wake of the recent budget and urged ministers to reconsider plans for stricter workers’ rights. Speaking at the CBI’s annual conference on Monday, Soames said, “In the budget, business has […]

WHO Raises Alarm Over Funding Pause for HIV Programs in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Life-saving HIV therapy for over 30 million people at risk Geneva, 28 January 2025 – The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed deep concern about the implications of the immediate funding pause for HIV programs in low- and middle-income countries. These programs provide access to life-saving HIV therapy to more than 30 million people worldwide. […]

U.S. State Department urges Yunus to protect press freedom and peaceful rally

Washington, D.C. – U.S. State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel started a press briefing today with a straightforward questions-answers session without any introductory remarks. State Department Press Briefing’s video Link : https://www.youtube.com/live/17dXcIZnr68?si=8MobBykMgrv57Ax5 Patel answered questions from various journalists on current global issues, including the Russia-Ukraine war, the “U.S. Indo-Pacific Strategy,” the Russia-North Korea security […]

Arnold Schwarzenegger Stars as Santa in The Man with the Bag

Arnold Schwarzenegger is trading in his action hero persona for a jolly new role as Santa Claus in the upcoming holiday film The Man with the Bag. The actor, known for his iconic line “I’ll be back,” was spotted in New York City donning a white beard and festive attire while filming the family adventure. […]

US Weighs Options to Counter China’s Growing Influence in Panama

January 27, 2025 – The head of the Federal Maritime Commission will inform a U.S. Senate committee that the United States has options to address the increasing presence of China and Chinese firms in Panama. President Donald Trump has vowed that the United States would take back the Panama Canal but has not provided details […]

Guardiola vows to end relegation form

Manchester City are currently in relegation form and there is little sign of it ending. Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa left them joint bottom of the form table over the past eight games with just Southampton for company. Saints, at the foot of the Premier League, have the same number of points, four, as […]

UNICEF Urgently Appeals for $22 Million to Aid 282,000 Children in Eastern DR Congo Amid Escalating Violence

Life-saving support covers protection, health, nutrition, water and sanitation, and education services Kinshasa, 29 January 2024 – UNICEF has launched an urgent appeal for $22 million to provide emergency assistance to 282,000 children in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), as violence escalates and the humanitarian situation rapidly deteriorates. Over the past three months, an […]

Press Freedom Under Attack in Bangladesh: News Outlet Shut Down for Exposing Corruption

Journalism in Bangladesh has taken a severe hit under the interim government led by Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus, with freedom of the press seemingly reduced to a hollow concept. The abrupt shutdown of the online news portal Daily Bangladesh has shocked the nation’s media landscape. The outlet was penalized for exposing corruption among key […]

Trump Promised ‘No Tax on Social Security’—But the GOP Tax Bill Falls Short

The Voice News: Donald Trump, who is running for president in 2024, made a bold campaign promise: to eliminate all federal income taxes on Social Security benefits. For millions of retirees depending on this essential income, that pledge was welcomed as a sign of financial relief. However, the new Republican-led House tax-and-spending bill, passed last […]

Trump Vows to Send Back Students Who Protested for Palestinians

Last year, there were protests in different countries of the world, including the United States, against the Israeli occupation of Gaza in Palestine. From students to ordinary people, more or less everyone participated in the movement against the Israeli attack on Gaza. There were especially large protests in US universities and colleges. According to Qatar-based […]