Malaysia's government said Thursday that anyone buying or selling LGBTQ-themed Swatch watches could face prison terms of up to three years.
Thursday that anyone buying or selling LGBTQ-themed Swatch watches could face prison terms of up to three years, as authorities pledged to stop the sale of Swatch products with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer elements that"may harm the morality" of the country.
A Malay couple walking pass Swatch outlet at a shopping mall in Putrajaya, Malaysia Thursday, Aug. 10, 2023. and homosexual acts are punishable by"up to 20 years in prison and/or whipping" there, according to the U.S. State Department. The formal ban is just the latest crackdown by the government on rainbow-colored Swatch products. In May, Malaysia's law enforcement unit at the interior ministry raided Swatch stores at 11 shopping malls across the country, including in the capital Kuala Lumpur, confiscating timepieces bearing what it called"LGBT elements," the French news agency AFP reported.
In a statement emailed to CBS News on Thursday, the Swatch Group declined to comment on the latest ban on some of its products in Malaysia and said the company was"still waiting for the hearing" regarding its existing lawsuit, which was scheduled for later in August.
Singapore Latest News, Singapore Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Malaysia makes owning an LGBTQ Swatch punishable by up to 3 years in jailMalaysia has banned all Swatch products that contain LGBTQ elements, warning that anyone found with one could be jailed for up to 3 years. In May, authorities raided Swatch stores and confiscated more than 160 watches from its Pride Collection.
Read more »
Malaysia bans Swatch watches celebrating LGBTQ rightsMalaysia on Thursday banned Swatch Group's watches and accessories celebrating LGBTQ rights, saying the Swiss watchmaker's products may be harmful to morality and public interest.
Read more »
Own an LGBTQ+ Swatch Watch? Malaysia Wants to Put You Behind BarsMalaysia’s government said Thursday that anyone found with a rainbow-themed timepiece by the Swiss watchmaker Swatch could face up to three years in jail.
Read more »
Iraq bans media from using term 'homosexuality,' says they must use 'sexual deviance'Iraq’s official media regulator ordered all media and social media companies operating in the Arab state not to use the term “homosexuality” and instead to say “sexual deviance,” a government spokesperson said and a document from the regulator shows.
Read more »
‘Barbie’ Banned in Kuwait, Accused of “Promoting Homosexuality” in LebanonWhile Warner Bros' hit movie may — finally — be coming out in Saudi Arabia, it faces a different fate in other Middle East countries.
Read more »
Barbie Movie Banned in Lebanon for 'Promoting Homosexuality'The Barbie movie has been banned in Lebanon by the culture minister for allegedly 'promoting homosexuality' in the movie.
Read more »