23-5-2023 (Kuala Lumpur) Last week, the home ministry carried out raids on 11 Swatch shops due to their inclusion of the “Pride Collection,” featuring watches adorned with rainbow colors, according to a recent media report.
The Edge business weekly revealed that the raids took place on May 13-14 at various Swatch outlets located in shopping malls across the city, including Pavilion KL, One Utama, Sunway Pyramid, Mid Valley Megamall, Suria Sabah, and others. However, warnings were issued instead of further actions for five shops situated in Alor Setar, Kuala Terengganu, Kota Bharu, Johor Bahru, and Kuching.
These raids were reportedly triggered by online users linking the collection to the support shown by British band Coldplay towards the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. Although the band is set to perform its first-ever concert in Malaysia in November, a PAS leader has called for the cancellation of the show, claiming it promotes “hedonism and deviant cultures.”
Swatch Group CEO Nick Hayek Jr. responded to the controversy, highlighting the company’s long-standing reputation for celebrating people from all walks of life through their vibrant and enjoyable timepieces. He asserted that the collection’s use of rainbow colors and its message of peace and love should not be perceived as harmful to anyone. He remarked, “This is nothing political.”
In a lighthearted remark, Hayek questioned how the regulatory and enforcement division of the home ministry would handle the seizure of the countless beautiful natural rainbows that appear in Malaysia’s skies throughout the year.
The Edge also reported that Swatch is currently appealing to the home ministry to return the confiscated watches.
