Malaysia’s authorities says it’s banning all Swatch merchandise that comprise lesbian, homosexual, bisexual, transgender or queer components.
Watches, wrappers and bins are banned, with authorities warning anybody discovered with one selling LGBTQ rights could possibly be jailed or fined.
Similar-sex relationships in Malaysia, which is predominantly Muslim, are unlawful.
Punishments vary from caning below Islamic legal guidelines to twenty years in jail below colonial-era civil legal guidelines.
The product ban comes after Malaysian authorities raided Swatch stores in Could and seized 172 watches that commemorate LGBTQ rights.
A number of the watches have rainbow colors whereas others are in a selection of six single colors that correlate to the homosexual delight flag, with two rainbow loops on their straps.
The Swiss watchmaker is suing the Malaysian authorities and is seeking damages and the return of the watches.
It has contested allegations the watches had been dangerous, saying they carry a message of peace and love.
In an announcement on Thursday, Malaysia’s house ministry mentioned the merchandise are “detrimental, or presumably detrimental, to morality, public curiosity and nationwide curiosity by selling, supporting and normalising the LGBTQ motion which isn’t accepted by most of the people”.
Anybody present in possession of the banned merchandise faces as much as three years in jail or a nice of as much as 20,000 ringgit (£3,428), it warned.
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In July, the federal government lower quick The Good Vibes Pageant in Kuala Lumpur after Matty Healy, the frontman of British band The 1975, kissed bassist Ross MacDonald onstage in protest towards the nation’s anti-gay legal guidelines.
The band later cancelled two tour dates in Asia – at We The Fest in Jakarta, Indonesia, and on the Taipei Music Centre in Taiwan.
Malaysia has since blacklisted the group.