Swiss watchmaker Swatch has said that Malaysian authorities raided its stores and seized 164 rainbow-coloured watches worth a total of US$14,000 from its Pride collection.

It said Ministry of Home Affairs officials raided its outlets in various malls across Malaysia on May 13 and 14 and seized the watches because they “bore LGBT connotations.” The seizure was based on the Printing Presses and Publications Act of 1984.

The watches come in a choice of six colors, matching those on the gay pride flag, and have two rainbow loops on their straps.

Nick Hayek, CEO of Swatch Group, has said “We strongly contest that our collection of watches using rainbow colours and having a message of peace and love could be harmful.

“We wonder how the home ministry’s enforcement unit will confiscate the many beautiful natural rainbows that are showing up thousand times a year in the sky of Malaysia.”

Sarah Kok, marketing manager for Swatch Malaysia, said: “As per instruction from Switzerland HQ, we will still replenish the stock and display them on-shelf.”

Homosexuality is criminalised in Malaysia, with punishments ranging from caning under Islamic laws to 20 years in prison for sodomy under colonial-era civil laws.

Categories: Industry news, Swatch, watches