Brunei to introduce sharia law in 2014

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http://www.todayonline.com/world/asia/brunei-introduce-sharia-law

Brunei will enforce sharia criminal law next year, the sultan announced today (Oct 22), with possible punishments including stoning to death for adultery and flogging for drinking alcohol.

The law would be enforced from April, said the 67-year-old sovereign, Hassanal Bolkiah, one of the world’s wealthiest people, who has presided over a shift to more conservative Islam and anti-sedition laws in recent years.

Power is concentrated with the monarchy and the country does not hold elections.

“It is because of our need that Allah the Almighty, in all his generosity, has created laws for us, so that we can utilize them to obtain justice,” said the sultan, who also holds the post of prime minister.

Many crimes under the new code have a high burden of proof and sharia court judges would have discretion over punishments, which could also include amputations for theft.

Brunei, which has a population of just over 400,000, already enforces Islamic teachings more sternly than Malaysia and Indonesia. The sale of alcohol is banned and evangelism by other religions is strictly forbidden.