Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah

Brunei backtracks on death penalty for sharia

Brunei's sultan said Sunday a moratorium on capital punishment will also extend to sharia laws that include stoning to death for gay sex and adultery, after a furious backlash against the punishments.It was the first time Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah had commented publicly on the new penal code since it fully entered force last month, and his remarks appeared aimed at assuaging worldwide criticism.The laws, which also include amputation of hands and feet for thieves in the tiny sultanate on B

6 May 2019
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George Clooney: Boycott Brunei-owned hotels

American actor George Clooney has called for a boycott of nine Brunei-owned hotels over the sultanate's imposition of the death penalty for gay sex and adultery."Every single time we stay at or take meetings at or dine at any of these nine hotels, we are putting money directly into the pockets of men who choose to stone and whip to death their own citizens for being gay or accused of adultery," Clooney wrote on the website Deadline Hollywood."I've learned over years o

31 March 2019
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Brunei to impose death by stoning for gay sex

Adultery and gay sex in Brunei will be subject to death by stoning from next week, authorities said, under a strict Sharia law that has been on hold for four years amid heavy criticism.Rights groups reacted in horror Wednesday to the latest hard-line move from the resource-rich nation on Borneo, which practises a stricter brand of Islam than its neighbours Malaysia and Indonesia.The tiny sultanate will implement the harsh new penal code – which also prescribes amputation of a hand and foot fo

28 March 2019
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Youth key to Brunei’s development

As Brunei celebrates its 35th National Day today, the country’s residents can be heartened by their progress in the last three and a half decades. A British protectorate since 1888, Brunei gained independence in 1984 and is an active member of the international and regional community – joining ASEAN the same year.

23 February 2019
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Brunei's Sultan, the 'Great Gatsby' of ASEAN

On October 5, 2017 Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah (71), kicked off the celebration of his 50-year-rule of the oil-rich nation. After the passing of the late Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Hassanal has become the second longest reigning monarch after United Kingdom's revered Queen Elizabeth II – who has reigned for 66 years to date.

6 October 2017
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Brunei's Sultan to celebrate golden jubilee in style

Brunei's all-powerful sultan will mark 50 years on the throne Thursday with lavish celebrations including a glittering procession, a 21-gun salute and a ceremony at his vast, golden-domed palace.The festivities for Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah – which will include the monarch being carried past huge crowds of well-wishers in a chariot – are the centrepiece of events to mark his golden jubilee.The 71-year-old, the world's second-longest reigning monarch, ascended to the throne of the tiny

5 October 2017
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