The Malaysian government, on Thursday (August 10) said that the owners and sellers of rainbow-coloured watchers made by the Swiss watchmaker Swatch could face three years in prison after the ban on what it described as the brand’s “LGBTQ related” products claiming it could “harm morals”.&nbsp;

<h2>Malaysian government about the ban</h2>

According to a ban notice issued by Malaysia’s law enforcement unit at the interior ministry, anyone who “prints, imports, produces…or has in his possession” such timepieces bearing what it called “LGBT elements” faces a jail term of up to three years.&nbsp;

The government has also said that any person found wearing or distributing the watches could also be fined 20,000 Malaysian ringgit ($4,362). “The Malaysian government is committed to preventing the spread of elements that are harmful or may be harmful to morals,” said the ministry.&nbsp;

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Notably, homosexuality is outlawed in the Muslim-majority country and LGBTQ+ people face discrimination.&nbsp;

The watches “may harm…the interests of the nation by promoting, supporting and normalising the LGBTQ+ movement that is not accepted by the general public,” the statement added.

<h2>172 watches seized</h2>

The recent ban also comes months after interior ministry department officials raided Swatch stores at 11 shopping malls across the country, earlier this year, including in the capital, Kuala Lumpur and confiscated rainbow-coloured watches made by Swatch that celebrate LGBTQ+ rights.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/malaysian-authorities-confiscate-lgbt-rainbow-coloured-swatch-watches-595884">Malaysian authorities confiscate ‘LGBT’ rainbow-coloured Swatch watches</a>

A ministry official told AFP in May that 172 watches worth $14,000 were seized in raids because they bore the “LGBTQ” acronym and had six colours instead of the seven in a rainbow. The six-colour rainbow Pride flag is one of the most well-known LGBTQ symbols globally.

At the time, Chief Executive Nick Hayek said he was disappointed and concerned. “We strongly contest that our collection of watches using rainbow colours and having a message of peace and love could be harmful for whomever,” said Hayek, in a statement to Reuters.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/google-play-pulls-down-malaysia-governments-gay-conversion-app-463260">Google Play pulls down Malaysia government's 'gay conversion' app</a>

In June, Swatch filed a lawsuit against the Malaysian government over the seizure, writing that the watches “did not promote any sexual activity but merely a fun and joyous expression of peace and love”.

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
 
 
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The Malaysian government, on Thursday (August 10) said that the owners and sellers of rainbow-coloured watchers made by the Swiss watchmaker Swatch could face three years in prison after the ban on what it described as the brand’s “LGBTQ related” products claiming it could “harm morals”.

The Malaysian government, on Thursday (August 10) said that the owners and sellers of rainbow-coloured watchers made by the Swiss watchmaker Swatch could face three years in prison after the ban on what it described as the brand’s “LGBTQ related” products claiming it could “harm morals”. Malaysian government about the ban According to a ban notice issued by Malaysia’s law enforcement unit at the interior ministry, anyone who “prints, imports, produces…or has in his possession” such timepieces bearing what it called “LGBT elements” faces a jail term of up to three years. The government has also said that any person found wearing or distributing the watches could also be fined 20,000 Malaysian ringgit ($4,362). “The Malaysian government is committed to preventing the spread of elements that are harmful or may be harmful to morals,” said the ministry. ALSO READ | British Band The 1975 faces legal threat after 'performative activism' in Malaysia Notably, homosexuality is outlawed in the Muslim-majority country and LGBTQ+ people face discrimination. The watches “may harm…the interests of the nation by promoting, supporting and normalising the LGBTQ+ movement that is not accepted by the general public,” the statement added. 172 watches seized The recent ban also comes months after interior ministry department officials raided Swatch stores at 11 shopping malls across the country, earlier this year, including in the capital, Kuala Lumpur and confiscated rainbow-coloured watches made by Swatch that celebrate LGBTQ+ rights. ALSO READ | Malaysian authorities confiscate ‘LGBT’ rainbow-coloured Swatch watches A ministry official told AFP in May that 172 watches worth $14,000 were seized in raids because they bore the “LGBTQ” acronym and had six colours instead of the seven in a rainbow. The six-colour rainbow Pride flag is one of the most well-known LGBTQ symbols globally. At the time, Chief Executive Nick Hayek said he was disappointed and concerned. “We strongly contest that our collection of watches using rainbow colours and having a message of peace and love could be harmful for whomever,” said Hayek, in a statement to Reuters. ALSO READ | Google Play pulls down Malaysia government's 'gay conversion' app In June, Swatch filed a lawsuit against the Malaysian government over the seizure, writing that the watches “did not promote any sexual activity but merely a fun and joyous expression of peace and love”. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Owners of rainbow Swatch watch in Malaysia to be jailed for 3 years: Here’s why

Malaysian activists on Thursday criticised the government's decision of banning three books for allegedly promoting the "LGBTQ lifestyle," saying that this step would further damage gay and transgender rights. The Malaysian home ministry in its statement released on Tuesday said that "Jacob's Room to Choose," a children's book about gender expression was banned in January. Two other children's books, "The Tale of Steven," and the Malay-language title, "Aku" were also banned, AFP reported.

Justifying its measure, the ministry said that its objective was to "prevent the spread of elements that are harmful to morality in the community."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/progressive-or-regressive-was-2022-a-good-year-for-the-lgbtqia-community-heres-the-year-in-review-546768">Also read |&nbsp;Progressive or regressive: Was 2022 a good year for the LGBTQIA+ community? Here's the year in review</a>

Homosexuality is forbidden in Malaysia. People have been experiencing growing religious fundamentalism for the past few years, sparking friction between the conservatives and the ones campaigning for rights.&nbsp;

A prominent Malaysian human rights lawyer, Siti Kasim, has described the ban as an attempt "to chisel away" at LGBTQ. She said that this group has always been marginalised and oppressed.

Homosexuality is forbidden in Malaysia those following can be charged with imprisonment and fines.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/laws-criminalising-lgbtq-are-a-sin-says-pope-francis-559142">Also&nbsp;read |&nbsp;Laws criminalising LGBTQ are a sin, says Pope Francis</a>

"This move is a broader trend of censorship that we are seeing in the last couple of years," said Thilaga Sulathireh, a member of the transgender rights group Justice for Sisters.

She said that the ban on books further shrinks the space for LGBTQ people to express themselves.

She added that in the last couple of years, at least six LGBTQ-related books have been banned.&nbsp;

Not just books, Malaysia, banned the Marvel film, "Thor: Love and Thunder,"&nbsp;last year over LGBTQ elements.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Malaysian activists on Thursday criticised the government's decision of banning three books for allegedly promoting the "LGBTQ lifestyle," saying that this step would further damage gay and transgender rights.

Malaysian activists on Thursday criticised the government's decision of banning three books for allegedly promoting the "LGBTQ lifestyle," saying that this step would further damage gay and transgender rights. The Malaysian home ministry in its statement released on Tuesday said that "Jacob's Room to Choose," a children's book about gender expression was banned in January. Two other children's books, "The Tale of Steven," and the Malay-language title, "Aku" were also banned, AFP reported. Justifying its measure, the ministry said that its objective was to "prevent the spread of elements that are harmful to morality in the community." Also read | Progressive or regressive: Was 2022 a good year for the LGBTQIA+ community? Here's the year in review Homosexuality is forbidden in Malaysia. People have been experiencing growing religious fundamentalism for the past few years, sparking friction between the conservatives and the ones campaigning for rights. A prominent Malaysian human rights lawyer, Siti Kasim, has described the ban as an attempt "to chisel away" at LGBTQ. She said that this group has always been marginalised and oppressed. Homosexuality is forbidden in Malaysia those following can be charged with imprisonment and fines. Also read | Laws criminalising LGBTQ are a sin, says Pope Francis "This move is a broader trend of censorship that we are seeing in the last couple of years," said Thilaga Sulathireh, a member of the transgender rights group Justice for Sisters. She said that the ban on books further shrinks the space for LGBTQ people to express themselves. She added that in the last couple of years, at least six LGBTQ-related books have been banned. Not just books, Malaysia, banned the Marvel film, "Thor: Love and Thunder," last year over LGBTQ elements. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

'A broader trend of censorship': Malaysian activists criticise govt for banning books on LGBTQ

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Owners of rainbow Swatch watch in Malaysia to be jailed for 3 years: Here’s why

'A broader trend of censorship': Malaysian activists criticise govt for banning books on LGBTQ