Remember The Rainbow Swatch Controversy? Court Tells KDN To Return Seized Watches

The Home Ministry is now required to return the seized Swatch watches back to the watchmaker company.

Swatch Pride Collection

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The Swatch Group has won their lawsuit against the Malaysian government, specifically the Home Ministry (KDN), after the sudden seizure of their Pride Collection between 13 and 15 May 2023.

The Kuala Lumpur High Court today ruled that the 172 watches, promoting the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) community, be returned to the watchmaker company.

The Swatch Group was represented by counsels Nizam Bashir and Kee Hui Yee.

Nizam Bashir, Kee Hui Yee, and two representatives of Swatch group – picture by Sayuti Zainudin. (Credit Malay Mail)

The seizure of the watches was deemed “illegal” by the High Court. The items are to be returned within 14 days from the date of the order.

A total of 11 Swatch outlets all over the country were raided last year. Nine different designs from the Pride Collection were seized with a total amount of seized watches adding up to RM64,795.

The prohibition order on items promoting the LGBT community was declared on 9 August, 2023, three months after the seizure of said products.

In their judicial review application, the Swatch Group specified the Home Ministry’s Secretary-General, the ministry’s secretary of the enforcement division, the Home Minister and the government as the first, second, third, and fourth respondents accordingly.

Justice Amarjeet Singh conveyed this point, further stating that the Swatch Group (M) did not breach any laws prior to the declaration of the ban by the Home Ministry.

He also elaborated that the Swatch Group (M) could file a separate legal bid for compensation on possible damages of the seized items.

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