If you’re caught wearing a rainbow watch in this country, you could face three years in prison

By Charlie Sawyer

Published Aug 11, 2023 at 11:30 AM

Reading time: 1 minute

47928

It’s officially been announced that if you’re caught wearing a rainbow-themed Swatch watch in Malaysia, you could be sentenced to up to three years in prison. The government, in its most recent crackdown on LGBTQIA+ rights, has banned all products which they deem to be “LGBTQIA+ related.”

Any individual who wears, sells, imports or distributes the Swiss watchmaker’s rainbow-themed products, including watches, accessories or related packaging, faces not only the possibility of a jail term but also a fine of up to 20,000 ringgit ($4,375), as reported by CNN.

In a statement released by the Malaysian Ministry of Home Affairs, the governing body noted: “Swatch products have been banned as they are detrimental, or possibly detrimental, to morality, the public interest and national interest by promoting, supporting and normalizing the LGBTQ movement which is not accepted by the general public of Malaysia.”

This saga comes after an extensive Swatch watch raid in May by the Malaysian Ministry of Home Affairs wherein authorities seized 172 rainbow-themed watches.

Malaysia has always been an incredibly conservative country, but recent years its citizens have seen an uptake in increasingly strict anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation. The current Malaysian federal penal code punishes oral and anal sex with up to 20 years in prison. Moreover, each state and the federal territories of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya also have sharia codes that generally criminalise gay sex and gender nonconformity.

Recently, the frontman of The 1975 Matty Healy was criticised after he condemned Malaysia’s homophobic laws and kissed a male bandmate on stage. While some applauded Healy’s act, others—including members of the LGBTQIA+ community—noted their unease that the statement could further exacerbate the government’s already increased hostility towards the queer community in the nation.

While a number of prominent gay rights advocacy groups in Malaysia have condemned the Swatch watch raid and ban, it’s evident that the Malaysian government show no signs of easing its restrictions—if anything, the conservative body is doing everything in its power to stamp out and eradicate the rights and well-being of every LGBTQIA+ individual in the nation.

Keep On Reading

By Charlie Sawyer

Disney’s Gay Days go ahead despite Ron DeSantis’ mounting anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation in Florida

By Marcia Veiga

An inside look into the oppressive Uganda 2023 Anti-Homosexuality Bill and its devastating impact

By Yair Oded

During the COVID-19 crisis, LGBTQ rights are under threat

By Abby Amoakuh

What is Red Tuesday and how is it threatening relationships right before Valentine’s Day?

By Fatou Ferraro Mboup

Unmasking exploitation in Africa: My undercover journey into Kenya’s Chinese seafood factories

By Abby Amoakuh

Who is Belle Gibson, the Australian scammer who inspired Netflix’s Apple Cider Vinegar?

By Abby Amoakuh

White Lotus star called out for tone deaf comments about double standards with male and female nude scenes

By Alma Fabiani

BLACKPINK’s Jennie, Lisa and Rosé caught saying the N word in newly leaked videos

By Abby Amoakuh

Mikey Madison tells Pamela Anderson why she rejected an intimacy coordinator on Anora set

By Abby Amoakuh

Celebrity Big Brother: JoJo Siwa’s partner Kath Ebbs turns off comments amid Chris Hughes romance rumours

By Abby Amoakuh

I sat down with two professional matchmakers to solve Gen Z’s dating fatigue

By Emma O'Regan-Reidy

The cozy gaming trend is empowering women to dominate space in a male-centred industry

By Fatou Ferraro Mboup

Bonnie Blue breaks world record by sleeping with 1,057 men in just 12 hours. Is this empowerment or exploitation?

By Charlie Sawyer

The #MeToo movement is at risk. How the Harvey Weinstein retrial risks doing unimaginable damage 

By Abby Amoakuh

Did The Summer I Turned Pretty star Gavin Casalegno cheat on his ex-girlfriend Larsen Thompson?

By Abby Amoakuh

Lewis Hamilton and Sharon Stone support Millie Bobby Brown after she calls out disgusting media misogyny

By Abby Amoakuh

From dinner parties to grocery flexing: Inside Gen Z’s new language of luxury

By Fatou Ferraro Mboup

Lily Phillips announces pregnancy hours after Bonnie Blue teases having cravings

By Fatou Ferraro Mboup

Asteroid 2024 YR4 might be heading to Earth, and Gen Z have a lot to say about it

By Abby Amoakuh

Single White Female remake starring Jenna Ortega and Taylor Russell hit with racist backlash