Don't simply raid stores, table laws on sale of colourful products, says youth group

SHAH ALAM - A youth group says conducting raids is not an effective method to overcome concerns on LGBTQ movement in the country, adding that such action might attract even more attention to the issue.

Founder of Dewan Belia India Malaysia Kiran Raj Sathivel said if the government was serious in addressing LGBTQ issues, it should organise roundtable sessions, engage in parliamentary debates and look to countries that allows LGBTQ movement with restriction.

He said LGBTQ movement continues to be a sensitive topic in Muslim majority Malaysia but merely possessing colourful watches may not pose a threat.

He further urged the Home Ministry to table proper laws in parliament to ensure these issues are addressed in a proper way.

"I agree LGBTQ movements remain a taboo in Muslim majority Malaysia.

"But a simple watch might not pose a threat to the Malaysian community nor the country unless these watches are a factor where LGBTQ culture is being forced into the community," he told Sinar Daily.

He urged the enforcement division Home Ministry to develop appropriate guidelines to address issue.

He said this is because the colourful Swatch watches that were confiscated would only be a threat if they forcefully introduced LGBTQ culture into the community.

Only then, he said the government should consider taking appropriate action as it would be going against the principles of humanity, he added.

He urged the enforcement division Home Ministry to develop appropriate guidelines to address issue.

"It should be tabled in the parliament and debated accordingly by our politicians who command a detailed comprehension on this controversial issue," he said.

He reasoned that the Monday raids conducted by the ministry on 'Pride Collection' Swatch watches stores nationwide might pose a threat to multinational companies and SMEs operating in the country.

The stores were issued a notice stating that it were seized due to the presence of LGBTQ+ symbols on them.

Several other Swatch stores across Malaysia including at 1Utama Shopping Centre, Sunway Pyramid, Sunway Putra Mall, Sogo KL and Vivacity Megamall were also raided on May 13 and 14.

Commenting further, Social Media Executive Nurul Tiarika Sanusi, Klang urged the government to come up with proper rules and regulations for items to be on public display.

"Perhaps by doing this, there won't be a need to 'raid' famous brand items like Swatch," she said.

To tackle LGBT issues in Malaysia, Tiarika suggested authorities to conduct more religious classes among community.

"I believe each religion has its dos and dont's. There should be more religious classes to curb LGBT in the country," she said.

Meawhile, Customer Care Officer Lydia Joy, 27 said the raid was unnecessary and it tarnishes the reputation of the country.

"Swatch being an international product, it is likely that news of the raids would have gone globally.

"I understand that our country stands against LGBT but there is a way to handle things.

"If rainbow colours themes are not appropriate, then the government should have proper guidelines on what type of products that can be sold in Malaysia," she said.