QuoteBrunei is introducing strict new Islamic laws that make anal sex and adultery offences punishable by stoning to death.



The new measures, that come into force on Wednesday, also cover a range of other crimes including punishment for theft by amputation.



The move has sparked international condemnation.



Brunei's gay community has expressed shock and fear at the "medieval punishments".



"You wake up and realise that your neighbours, your family or even that nice old lady that sells prawn fritters by the side of the road doesn't think you're human, or is okay with stoning," one Bruneian gay man, who did not want to be identified, told the BBC.



The sultan of the small South-East Asian nation on Wednesday called for "stronger" Islamic teachings.



"I want to see Islamic teachings in this country grow stronger," Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah said in a public address, according to AFP news agency, without mentioning the strict new interpretation of Sharia, or Islamic law.



Homosexuality was already illegal in Brunei and punishable by up to 10 years in prison.



Muslims make up about two-thirds of the country's population of 420,000. Brunei has retained the death penalty but has not carried out an execution since 1957.



What is punishable under the changes to the penal code?

The law mostly applies to Muslims, including children who have reached puberty, though some aspects will apply to non-Muslims.



Under the new laws, individuals accused of certain acts will be convicted if they confess or if there were witnesses present.



Offences such as rape, adultery, sodomy, robbery and insult or defamation of the Prophet Muhammad will carry the maximum penalty of death.

Lesbian sex carries a different penalty of 40 strokes of the cane and/or a maximum of 10 years in jail

The punishment for theft is amputation

Those who "persuade, tell or encourage" Muslim children under the age of 18 "to accept the teachings of religions other than Islam" are liable to a fine or jail

Individuals who have not reached puberty but are convicted of certain offences may be instead subjected to whipping.

Quote from: "Herman"Brunei's royal family is getting crazier all the time. You used to be able to bring in booze from Malaysia.

Quote from: "seoulbro"This is further evidence of the growing influence of radical Islam in South East Asia.

Quote from: "Bricktop"It's time sensible and reasonably minded nations stood up to this barbarity.



Hit them with sanctions. We should not be doing business with these despotic zealots. They can run their country as they see fit, but we don't have to support them.

Quote from: "Bricktop"Ah...but the staple of that wealth is oil and gas.



And they are about to run right out of it. They have around 20 years, tops, left.