Not about colours but LGBT issue: Anwar on Swatch raid

Amid criticism centred on the Swatch store raids, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said it was not about the colours but the issue of LGBT.

However, he is leaving it to the Home Ministry to clarify the matter.

“Let the Home Ministry clarify (the raids) because I do not have the details except the fact that it’s not the issue of the (watches’) colours but the issue that LGBT (components) were put (on the watches),” Anwar briefly told reporters after attending the Selangor Islamic festival in Shah Alam today.

Yesterday, The Edge reported that 11 Swatch stores nationwide were raided on May 13 and 14 for displaying their Pride Collection.

The financial daily quoted Swatch Group CEO Nick Hayek Jr who confirmed the raids as well as the seizures of numerous watches.

Hayek denied any political motives for the watches.

Message of equality

It was reported that Home Ministry officers raided Swatch stores at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, One Utama, Sunway Pyramid, Setia City Mall, Mid Valley Megamall, Southkey, Sunway Putra Mall, Sogo KL, Queensbay, Fahrenheit 88 and Suria Sabah.

Another five stores received warnings - KTCC (Terengganu), Aeon KB, Aman Central Kedah, City Square and Viva City Kuching.

The Swiss watchmaker created the Pride Collection to celebrate the pride movement and its message of equality and diversity.

The rainbow flag symbolises the LGBT movement, which supports the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people.

While many global brands and retailers have an annual range of rainbow-themed items released in conjunction with pride month every June, such products are typically not made available in stores in Malaysia or other Muslim-majority countries with a strong stand against the LGBT community.

Water woes

Separately, Anwar stated that he would schedule a meeting with Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad and Kelantan Menteri Besar Ahmad Yakob next week to examine the state's water problems.

Kelantan’s continuous water woes have been in the limelight recently after a supposed circular involving state water provider Air Kelantan Sdn Bhd (AKSB) board members went viral.

The circular, which showcases AKSB’s bonus payouts, states that the employees received RM200 each, while the directors received a bonus of RM10,000.

AKSB has since lodged a police report following the leaked letter and defended the bonus payment, claiming that it was made in conformity with the company's financial management processes. - Mkini