Brunei's Strict Alcohol Laws: A Dry Country?

Brunei is a dry country, meaning that alcohol is banned from being publicly sold or served. However, non-Muslims over the age of 17 are allowed to bring a limited amount of alcohol into the country for private consumption. This is because the country's legal system is based on Sharia Law, which prohibits the consumption of alcohol for Muslims.

Alcohol laws for foreigners

Brunei is a dry country, meaning alcohol is not sold or served in public. However, non-Muslim foreigners over the age of 17 can bring a limited amount of alcohol into the country through customs. This amounts to two 2-litre bottles of wine or spirits and twelve cans of beer (330ml or less). To do so, you must declare it on your customs form and keep the form with you while in the country, in case you are asked to present it.

Alcohol can only be stored and consumed in your place of residence, and it must be for your own consumption—distribution is not allowed. If you take alcohol outside your room, you are subject to punishment by law. Many Bruneians are devoutly Muslim and may be offended by the sight of alcohol. Some hotels may allow guests to drink in designated areas inside, but it is best to ask the hotel about their rules.

When drinking in public, tourists can drink alcohol in hotel rooms or private residences as long as they are not intoxicated in public. Some restaurants may serve alcohol illegally using euphemisms like 'special tea'. However, this is done discreetly, with the bottle kept under the table or out of sight. It is also important to note that it is illegal to drink on Royal Brunei Airlines flights.

Sharia law

Brunei is a "dry country", meaning alcohol is banned and cannot be sold or served in public. However, the country operates under Sharia law, which permits non-Muslims over the age of 17 to consume alcohol privately and in moderation. This means that travellers can bring a limited amount of alcohol into the country, as long as they declare it to customs and consume it discreetly. Sharia law in Brunei also prohibits the consumption of alcohol by Muslims and the sale of alcohol in the country.

The implementation of Sharia law in Brunei has resulted in strict rules and severe punishments for certain crimes. For example, adultery is considered illegal and can be punished by stoning to death. Additionally, unmarried couples are not allowed to share a hotel room, and it is illegal for men and women who are not related or married to be alone together. These laws are primarily aimed at Bruneian Muslims but can also apply to foreign visitors in some cases.

Other laws in Brunei that are influenced by Sharia law include the prohibition of homosexuality, the consumption of pork, and the possession and distribution of pornography. The country also has strict drug laws, with mandatory death sentences for certain offences.

Brunei's status as an Islamic country

Brunei is an Islamic country with a legal system based on Sharia Law. The country's penal code mostly aligns with Islamic law, which prohibits the consumption of alcohol by Muslims. As such, Brunei is a dry country, meaning alcohol is not sold or served publicly.

The population of Brunei is predominantly Muslim, with the latest figures showing that 67% identify as Muslim, 13% as Buddhist, 10% as Christian, and 10% following indigenous beliefs or other religions. The country has hundreds of large, beautiful mosques, and the Islamic faith influences many aspects of daily life. For example, during the fasting month of Ramadan, it is illegal for anyone to eat, drink, or smoke in public. Non-Muslims are exempt from this law but are strongly advised to refrain from these activities in public to avoid causing offence.

Brunei's Islamic status also influences its social norms, including conservative standards of dress and behaviour that should be respected by visitors. For instance, when visiting a mosque, it is customary to remove shoes, and women should cover their heads, knees, and arms. Additionally, it is considered rude to pass in front of a person in prayer or touch the Quran.

The country's laws also reflect its Islamic status. For example, it is illegal to sell or consume alcohol publicly, and there are severe punishments for criminal activities. Corporal punishment and the mandatory death penalty are enforced for serious crimes like murder, kidnapping, and drug offences. Other illegal activities include consensual homosexual acts, carrying guns or ammunition, and possessing or distributing pornography.

Overall, Brunei's status as an Islamic country is evident in its legal system, social norms, and the daily lives of its citizens, particularly during religious occasions such as Ramadan.

The country's safety for travellers

Brunei is considered one of the safest countries in the world for travellers. Serious crime is rare, although there are occasional incidents of petty crime such as theft and burglary, so it is important to take care of your personal possessions, particularly important documents like your passport. Crime levels are kept low due to the severe punishments for criminal activity.

One of the reasons for these harsh punishments is that Brunei operates under Sharia Law, with the legal system based partly on Islamic law, which also applies to visitors in some circumstances. Corporal punishment and a mandatory death penalty are in place for serious crimes like murder, kidnapping, and drug offences. Robbery and visa offences are generally punished by caning, so it is important not to overstay your visa.

Other laws that may be unfamiliar to visitors include the ban on the sale and public consumption of alcohol and tobacco. Non-Muslims over the age of 17 can bring a limited amount of alcohol into the country for private consumption, but it must be declared on a customs form and can only be consumed in your place of residence.

Smoking is also prohibited in many public places, including government buildings, hospitals, recreational and educational centres, public transport, and restaurants.

It is also important to dress modestly when visiting Brunei, especially when visiting government and public buildings such as health centres. Shorts, for example, are not considered appropriate.

During the holy month of Ramadan, it is illegal to eat, drink, or smoke in public during fasting hours, and there may be serious penalties for doing so. It is also important to avoid causing offence by photographing prohibited places, including government and military infrastructure, security force locations, and civil infrastructure.

Finally, it is worth noting that the Royal Family is highly revered in Brunei, and public criticism of them is considered offensive and may lead to legal consequences.

The country's LGBT laws

Brunei has been described as ""the country that has the most worrisome state of rights for LGBT people in Southeast Asia". Both male and female expressions of homosexuality are illegal in the country. The nation operates under Sharia law, with strict rules in line with its deeply-held reverence for religion.

Laws and Punishments

Same-sex sexual activity became illegal in Brunei in 1906 when the nation became a British Protectorate. Homosexual activity remained illegal after Brunei gained independence in 1984. Before the 2019 implementation of the Syariah Penal Code Order (SPCO), homosexual acts were punishable by up to 10 years' imprisonment, even if they were private and consensual.

In 2019, the country finalised its provisions for criminalising same-sex intimacy, with the SPCO dealing with adultery and sodomy, prescribing death by stoning and corporal punishments. However, following widespread international condemnation, the Brunei government extended its moratorium on the death penalty to encompass the SPCO. Under the moratorium, the code's death by stoning provisions are not enacted, and the sultanate applied a moratorium on the death penalty in 2019, which was still in effect as of May 2023. The moratorium could be revoked at any time.

LGBT Life in Brunei

The LGBT community in Brunei is very hidden and secret. Bruneian society tends to associate homosexuality with "effeminate men". LGBT Bruneians feel the need to remain very discreet about their sexual orientation. A 2011 study at the University of Brunei found that LGBT people chose to remain silent and discreet about their sexual orientation. The researchers were only able to find 29 LGBT respondents, some of whom were foreigners.

International Reactions

The United Nations urged Brunei to review its laws, which have been described by media outlets as "medieval" and "uncivilized". Celebrities including George Clooney and Elton John called for a boycott of luxury hotels with links to Brunei over the legislation. Clooney said the new laws amounted to "human rights violations".

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