Brunei to impose death by stoning for gay sex and adultery

The Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah. Brunei will become the only country in Southeast Asia to punish gay sex with death if it becomes the law. [Courtesy]

Adultery and gay sex in Brunei will be subject to death by stoning from next week, authorities said, under a strict Syariah law that has been on hold for four years amid heavy criticism.

Rights groups reacted in horror on Wednesday (March 27) to the latest hardline move from the resource-rich nation on Borneo, which practises a stricter brand of Islam than its neighbours Malaysia and Indonesia.