Speak Up, Brunei: No Fear, Your Voice Matters

Brunei, officially Brunei Darussalam, is a small country in Southeast Asia with a population of around 450,000. It is a former British protectorate, gaining its independence in 1984, and is ruled by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, who is also the world's second-longest-reigning monarch and prime minister. The country's wealth derives from its extensive petroleum and natural gas fields, and it has the second-highest Human Development Index among Southeast Asian nations. However, there are concerns about the country's future economic prospects, with a heavy reliance on the oil and gas sector, and a lack of diversification. In addition, Brunei has been criticised for its conservative social policies, including the implementation of strict Islamic laws that punish sodomy, adultery, and rape with the death penalty. These laws have led to an exodus of LGBT+ individuals from the country, with many seeking asylum in other nations.

The implementation of strict Islamic laws

Brunei is a small, oil-rich country in Southeast Asia with a population of around 450,000. The country is a constitutional absolute monarchy ruled by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, who has led the country since 1967. Islam is the state religion, and the country implements a fusion of English common law and Islamic jurisprudence, including Sharia law.

In October 2013, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah announced his intention to introduce a strict Sharia Penal Code, which would be implemented in three phases, culminating in 2016. This move attracted international criticism from human rights organisations and celebrities, with Britain, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Nations all calling on Brunei to abandon the changes to its penal code. The first phase of the Sharia Penal Code came into force in April 2014, with offences punishable by fines or imprisonment. The complete code, which was due to be fully implemented in 2016, stipulated the death penalty for numerous offences, including insult or defamation of Muhammad, blasphemy, declaring oneself a prophet or non-Muslim, robbery, rape, adultery, sodomy, and murder. Stoning to death was specified as the method of execution for crimes of a sexual nature.

The second phase of the Sharia Penal Code was due to be implemented in 2019 but was met with significant international backlash and pressure from human rights organisations, who criticised the harsh punishments as inhumane and a violation of human rights. As a result, the Bruneian government announced that it would not be implementing the second phase of the Sharia Penal Code, stating that the decision was made to maintain peace and stability in the country and avoid any negative impact on the economy and reputation of the country.

While the first phase of the Sharia Penal Code remains in place, the decision to halt the implementation of the second phase was met with mixed reactions from Bruneians. Some expressed relief and hoped that the country would continue to move towards international norms and best practices, while others, particularly those in the LGBT+ community, remained fearful for their safety and felt that the situation was still dangerous.

The treatment of LGBT+ people

Brunei has a population of about 400,000 to 455,858 and is a Muslim-majority country. The country's official language is Malay, and Islam is the state religion. While other religions are nominally tolerated, the country has implemented a fusion of English common law and jurisprudence inspired by Islam, including Sharia.

In 2019, Brunei was set to implement Sharia laws that would punish sodomy, adultery, and rape with the death penalty and theft with amputation. These laws could see LGBT+ people whipped or stoned to death for same-sex activity, and some aspects would also apply to non-Muslims.

Previously, homosexuality was illegal in Brunei and punishable by up to ten years' imprisonment. The implementation of these strict Islamic laws caused many Bruneians to flee the country, including Zoe, a transgender woman who is now awaiting the outcome of her asylum application in Canada. Zoe expressed her fear of living openly as an LGBT+ person in Brunei and her concern for her LGBT+ friends who remained in the country.

Another individual, Shahiransheriffuddin bin Shahrani Muhammad, fled Brunei and sought asylum in Canada after being charged with sedition for a Facebook post critical of the government. He was surprised by the speed at which the new Sharia laws were being implemented and feared for the safety of LGBT+ people in Brunei.

The introduction of these laws sparked international criticism and calls for a boycott of hotels owned by the government-owned Brunei Investment Agency. Britain, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights urged Brunei to abandon changes to its penal code. Despite the backlash, it is unlikely that Brunei will backtrack on these laws.

The country's slide toward conservatism

Brunei's slide towards conservatism has been observed by many, including a transgender woman named Zoe who fled the country in 2018 and is now awaiting the outcome of her asylum application in Canada. Zoe, who was born male but identified as female from an early age, has always been scared of living openly as an LGBT+ person in Brunei. Even before the introduction of Sharia law in 2019, LGBT+ individuals could be prosecuted under civil law. Sharia law, which is due to be implemented from April 3, 2019, will punish sodomy, adultery, and rape with the death penalty and theft with amputation. Some aspects of the law will also apply to non-Muslims.

The slide towards conservatism is also reflected in the country's strict enforcement of Islamic teachings, which are more stringent than those in neighbouring Malaysia and Indonesia. In addition to the criminalization of homosexuality, the sale of alcohol is banned, and evangelism by other religions is forbidden.

The country's conservatism is further evident in its media, which is largely pro-government, with little to no criticism of the government or monarchy. This self-censorship extends to the few existing media outlets, such as the English daily newspaper, *The Borneo Bulletin*.

Brunei's conservatism is deeply rooted in its culture and religious beliefs. The country's official religion is Islam, and the state ideology is the Malay Islamic Monarchy (MIB), which combines Malay culture, Islamic religion, and the political framework of the monarchy. While Brunei has a constitution and a legislative council, the Sultan, Hassanal Bolkiah, holds full executive authority and serves as the head of state, prime minister, finance minister, and defence minister. Decisions are often made on the spot, with little consultation, and the country has not held elections since 1962.

The slide towards conservatism is also influenced by economic factors. With dwindling oil reserves, the Sultan needed to control the economy and introduce taxes to reduce high subsidies. The country's fiscal position has been in deficit for the last six years, with revenue on a drastic decline. However, there is a lack of transparency and accountability regarding budgetary allocations, with crucial sectors such as transport and infocommunications receiving relatively low budgets.

While there have been efforts to diversify the economy away from the oil and gas sector, these initiatives have not progressed fast enough to keep up with the rapidly changing global landscape. The country's small population and high costs make it challenging to attract tourists and develop industries such as manufacturing and technology. Additionally, the regulatory policies do not favour overseas talent, making it difficult to attract foreign investors, talents, and migrants necessary for economic diversification.

The slide towards conservatism in Brunei is a complex issue influenced by religious, cultural, political, and economic factors. The country's strict Islamic laws, media censorship, and concentration of power in the hands of the Sultan have contributed to an increasingly conservative society. Additionally, economic challenges and a lack of progress in economic diversification have further reinforced this trend.

The role of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah

Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah has been the leader of Brunei since 1967. He is the head of state with full executive authority and serves as the prime minister, finance minister, and defence minister. Brunei's political system is a constitutional absolute monarchy ruled by the Sultan, and it implements a fusion of English common law and jurisprudence inspired by Islam, including sharia.

The country's wealth comes from its extensive petroleum and natural gas fields, and it has provided a welfare state for its citizens, with free or subsidised housing, healthcare, and education. However, there has been criticism of the Sultan's leadership, with claims that he is not a good leader and that the country is being left behind due to a lack of progress and diversification away from the oil and gas sector. There are also concerns about the implementation of strict Islamic laws, which have been criticised by human rights organisations and celebrities, and have led to an exodus of LGBT+ Bruneians.

The impact of oil reserves

Brunei, officially Brunei Darussalam, is a small country in Southeast Asia with a population of around 450,000 people as of 2023. The country holds an estimated 1,100,000,000 barrels of proven oil reserves, ranking 39th in the world and accounting for about 0.1% of the world's total oil reserves. Oil and natural gas have been the basis of Brunei's development and wealth since the late 20th century, with crude oil and natural gas production accounting for about 90% of its GDP.

The development of the oil and gas sector has also had social impacts, with the government providing for all medical services and subsidising rice and housing for its citizens. Brunei has a high car ownership rate, attributed to the absence of a comprehensive transport system, low import taxes, and affordable petrol prices. The country has invested in infrastructure projects, including a new highway and the modernisation of its international airport.

Additionally, Brunei has promoted food self-sufficiency, particularly in rice production, and has launched a national halal branding scheme to export its products to foreign markets. The government has also prioritised upgrading the labour force, reducing unemployment, and broadening the economic base to ensure long-term development.

In summary, the impact of oil reserves in Brunei has been far-reaching, leading to economic growth, infrastructure development, and social welfare initiatives. The country's extensive petroleum and natural gas resources have been a key factor in its development and continue to play a central role in its economy and society.

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