MALAYSIA, 25/11/2024 (Asia News Channels) - The High Court has ordered the government to return 172 Swatch watches, including the Pride Collection series, seized by the Home Ministry last year.
Justice Amarjeet Singh ruled that the seizure was unlawful, noting that the watches did not violate any laws at the time. He directed the government to return the items within 14 days.
The Home Ministry had confiscated the rainbow-themed watches from 11 Swatch stores across Malaysia between May 13 and May 15, 2023. Locations affected included Pavilion KL, 1 Utama, Sunway Pyramid, Mid Valley Megamall, and Suria Sabah. The seizure followed social media claims linking the collection to British band Coldplay’s support for the LGBTQ community.
Swatch Malaysia filed for a judicial review in August 2023, challenging the legality of the seizure. The Swiss watchmaker argued that the items did not fall under the definition of “publication” as per the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984.
In his judgment, Amarjeet highlighted that the prohibition order on the watches was only gazetted in August 2023, months after the seizure. “The applicant (Swatch) did not contravene any law (during the time of seizure),” he stated.
While the court did not award RM64,795 in damages sought by Swatch, Amarjeet allowed the company to pursue compensation if the watches were found damaged.
Lawyer Nizam Bashir represented Swatch Malaysia, while federal counsel Sallehudin Ali appeared for the Home Ministry.
-- ASIA NEWS CHANNELS