The Malaysian government announced today that all products of the Swiss watch manufacturer Swatch that have LGBT symbols are banned in that country, and anyone who wears them can be sentenced to up to three years in prison.
The ban was published in the Federal Gazette, making it official, as part of the printing law.
Both distribution and possession are prohibited, as such products are allegedly harmful to the nation's morale.
Anyone found with such a watch could face up to three years in prison or a fine of 20.000 ringgit ($4.375), Malaysia's Interior Ministry warned.
In Malaysia, a Muslim-majority country, same-sex relationships are already criminalized. Punishments range from flogging under Islamic law to 20 years in prison for sodomy under colonial-era civil law.
In May, the Malaysian police raided Svoča stores and seized 164 watches from their Pride collection.
Svoč disputes claims that watches are harmful and states that they carry a message of peace and love. The company has sued the Malaysian government and is seeking compensation and the return of the watches.
In July, the government shut down a music festival in Kuala Lumpur after the lead singer of the British band "1975" kissed a colleague during their performance to protest the country's anti-LGBT law.
Malaysia blacklisted the band, so they canceled their shows in Jakarta and Taipei.
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