Swatch has always been known for its colourful designs and advocacy of peace and love. However, the Swiss watchmaker has recently been stumped by an issue involving the Home Ministry. The subject on hand? The brand’s “Pride Collection”.
Ahead of Pride Month, it has been reported that multiple Swatch stores have been raided by Home Ministry enforcers, over the brand’s “Pride Collection”. During the raids, authorities seized watches from the collection that feature designs that include elements of the rainbow flag, a symbol associated with the LGTBQ+ community.
The raid and confiscation happened on the 13th and 14th of May at multiple Swatch outlets, including Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, 1 Utama, Sunway Pyramid and Mid Valley Megamall. Five other Swatch outlets around the country have also been issued warning notices.
Swatch Group chief executive officer Nick Hayek Jr. has responded to the seizure, saying that the brand has consistently produced colourful timepieces to represent diversity and celebrate people from all walks of life. He added, “We strongly contest that our collection of watches using rainbow colours and having a message of peace and love could be harmful to whomever.”
Hayek Jr also said, “Swatch always promotes a positive message of joy in life. This is nothing political. We wonder how the Regulatory and Enforcement Division of the Home Ministry will confiscate the many beautiful natural rainbows that are showing up thousand times a year in the sky of Malaysia.” It is understood that the brand is appealing for the watches to be returned but there have been no updates as of reporting.
Netizens have also reacted to the raid and seizure, with some commending the seizure and others calling it ridiculous and shameful – but what do you think of the situation? Was the raid justified or another unnecessary action by the authorities?
Source: Options
