Apple Launches Pride Watch Bands, Some Wonder If Raids Are Coming
Netizens also took to Twitterjaya to poke fun at the possibility of another raid happening.
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As the dust has yet to settle after the Home Ministry’s raid of Swatch outlets to confiscate the Pride Collection watches, Apple, a brand that is very popular in this country, announces its brand-new Pride Edition Apple Watch band, available for purchase in Malaysia.
According to Apple, Malaysians can purchase the Pride Edition Sport Band on the Apple Online Store, and it will be shipped within one business day.
We checked out the online store and found that the Pride Edition Sport Band can be bought individually for RM199.
It is offered in two sizes: 41mm and 45mm, and two wrist sizes: S/M and M/L.
Same goes for the Pride Edition Sport Loop strap which comes in the size 41mm.
This too is being sold for RM199 per strap with a beautiful rainbow design as well as the words Pride embroided onto it.
Additionally, you have the option to buy it separately as the Pride Edition Apple Watch Sport Band, or it can come as the default strap when you buy a new Apple Watch SE or Apple Watch 8 online.
According to a statement by Apple, the design of the new Sport Band is inspired by the resilience and magnificence of the LGBTQ+ community.
It features the classic pride flag rainbow colors along with five additional colors. The black and brown colors symbolize the Black and Latino communities respectively. Additionally, light blue, pink, and white represent transgender and nonbinary individuals.
Apple
Just days ago, on 13 and 14 May, the Home Ministry conducted raids at 11 Swatch stores across Malaysia confiscating their special rainbow-themed Pride Collection.
READ MORE: Swatch’s “Pride Collection” Watches Confiscated By Home Ministry
On Wednesday (May 24), The Guardian reported that Sarah Kok, the marketing manager for Swatch Malaysia, stated that they will continue to replenish the stock of the Pride-themed watches and display them on the shelves as instructed by their headquarters in Switzerland.
As per instruction from Switzerland HQ, we will still replenish the stock and display them on-shelf
Marketing Manager Of Swatch Malaysia Sarah Kok
This, as expected, ruffled the feathers of several activist groups, politicians and of course, netizens.
With that being said, Apple’s new rainbow edition also has netizens all abuzz about what the Home Ministry will do.
Many joked about how they could already anticipate another raid happening while others gushed over how pretty the colours looked on the watches.
Twitter user @applenad took things up a notch adding a meme to her tweet.
Daughter of tycoon Tan Sri Lee Kim Yew, Datin Dian Lee Cheng Ling too joined in to joke about Apple’s Pride bands.
Waiting for PAS’ statement to say Apple should be canceled in Malaysia 😂
Datin Dian Lee Cheng Ling
Another public figure who had voiced out her concerns on the Swatch raid was Deputy President of MUDA Amira Aisya.
In a tweet, Amira noted that her biggest concern about this act is the ambiguity of what’s considered harmful.
This is a slippery slope. Are we going to start raiding all shops that sell anything with rainbow / pride painted on it? Including the small businesses. We’re sending a message that it’s not safe for brands and companies to operate in Malaysia. The Minister has to explain the government’s stand on this matter. And where do we draw the line.
Deputy President of MUDA Amira Aisya
On the other hand, The Vibes reported that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim stated that the recent confiscation of Swatch’s Pride-themed watch collection by the Home Ministry is due to the inclusion of elements related to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) movement in the products.
Anwar mentioned that he hasn’t received specific details regarding the raids and leaves it to the ministry to provide an explanation.
While speaking to reporters, he emphasized that the issue was not solely about the colors of the watches but rather the inclusion of LGBT elements on them.
I will let the ministry clarify (the raids and subsequent product confiscation) because I don’t have the details (of the enforcement activity). The issue was not with the (watches’) colours, but because LGBT (elements) were put (on) the watches.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim
What do you think about this new set of watches? Would you buy them?
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