Malaysia bans pro-LGBTQ Swatch products claiming they may ‘harm morality’ and ‘public interest’

Homosexuality is a crime in Muslim-majority Malaysia, and rights groups have warned of growing intolerance against the country’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) community. Malaysia has jailed or caned people for homosexuality.

The home ministry on Thursday said it was prohibiting any LGBTQ references on Swatch watches, boxes, wrappers, accessories or other items.

“[Swatch products] are subject to the Prohibition Order because they are publications that harm or may harm morality, public interest, and the interest of the state by promoting, supporting, and normalising the LGBTQ movement which is not accepted by the general public in Malaysia,” the ministry said.

Selling or owning the banned material is punishable by up to three years in jail and a fine of up to 20,000 ringgit (US$4,376), it said.

Malaysia criminalises same-sex relationships, with punishments ranging from caning under Islamic laws to 20 years in prison for sodomy under colonial-era civil laws.

Swatch did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

LGBTQ in Asia’s Muslim-majority nations ‘rightfully paranoid’ amid Pride Month

The discussion on LGBTQ rights come at a politically sensitive time in multi-ethnic, multi-faith Malaysia.

The polls will pit Anwar against a mostly conservative ethnic-Malay, Muslim alliance that is gaining in popularity. The opposition has criticised the government for not doing enough to uphold the principles of Islam.

Anwar has said LGBTQ rights will not be recognised by his administration.

Additional reporting by Associated Press