2023-05-23 21:34:18
AFP.- The Swiss watch manufacturer Swatch denounced this Tuesday that the Malaysian authorities seized 164 pieces of its “Pride Collection” decorated with the rainbow flag and with a value of 14 thousand dollars.
The LGBT community, which includes lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, is discriminated against in Malaysia. Likewise, in this territory homosexuality is prohibited and sodomy is repressed with prison sentences and corporal punishment, although it does not happen often.
The company reported that 11 shopping malls selling Swatch watches were targeted. raids on May 13 and 14.
Nick Hayek, chief executive of the Swatch Group, expressed his dismay at the seizure.
“We strongly question that our collection of rainbow-colored watches with a peace message and love can be harmful, “said the manager.
“There is nothing political about this,” said the executive.
According to an official notice delivered to one of the stores, the seizure is based on the 1984 Printing and Publication Act, which many critics have described as draconian.
This regulation is used to veto content that may offend or hinder inter-community relations in this country with a majority muslim
An Interior Ministry official, speaking on condition of anonymity, defended the seizure.
He claimed that the watches were printed with the word LGBT with a rainbow, symbols of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.
Sarah Kok, head of marketing for Swatch Malaysia, stated that “following instructions, we are going to replenish stock and display it in showcases.”
“Malaysia bans sexual diversity”
The Southeast Asian state “has persecuted the LGBTI community for years by disseminating social propaganda of rejection, conversion practices and the imposition of sentences.” in prison»according to reports by Human Rights Watch.
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