The Brunei government promulgated the Islamic Penal Code on October 22, 2013. The first phase of the law came into effect on May 1, 2014. According to a recent announcement by the Brunei government, the second and third phases of the law will take effect from April 3, 2019. This means Brunei fully implements the Islamic Criminal Law.
The law applies to everyone in Brunei, including Muslims and non-Muslims, as well as foreigners residing in Brunei and foreign tourists temporarily visiting Brunei. But there are some provisions of the law that only apply to Muslims.
The first phase of the Islamic Penal Code that came into effect in 2014 is for violations of general regulations of religious management and improper behavior, such as Muslims failing to pray every Friday, disrespect for Ramadan, etc. The penalties involved mainly include fines and imprisonment. The second and third phases that came into effect on April 3 this year mainly target crimes such as theft, robbery, rape, adultery, murder and insult to the Prophet Muhammad. Penalties involve heavy punishments such as flogging, corporal punishment (severing hands and feet), stoning, and death. The law mainly includes:
About felony
The crime of theft, adultery, rape, homosexuality, injury, and murder can be sentenced to flogging, corporal punishment, stoning or even death depending on the severity of the circumstances. The above penalties are mainly targeted at Muslims. If non-Muslims and Muslim women have unmarried sexual relations or have extramarital sexual relations, or induce Muslim women to elope, they will also be sentenced under Islamic Criminal Law.
About religious management
It is forbidden to drink alcohol in public places, and not to provide, recommend, or sell alcoholic beverages to Muslims. During Ramadan, eating, drinking and smoking in public places are prohibited during the day, and foods that can be consumed on the spot are avoided. Every Friday from 12:00 to 14:00, Muslims must go to the nearby mosque to pray. At that time, restaurants and shops will be closed. Employers must not restrict Muslim employees’ right to pray on time.
About the sanctity of Islamic religion
It is forbidden to spread any religion or belief in Brunei, including the spread of Islam without approval; it is forbidden to spread any rumors, comments, etc. against Islam and the Islamic Criminal Law through the Internet; to avoid worshiping a star, character, animal, etc. in front of Muslims Location, etc.; avoid using fixed vocabulary and expressions related to Islam in public, including greetings.
Any speech that insults Islamic prophets, the Koran and the Islamic Penal Code is prohibited; speech or behavior that insults Sudanese speeches, government religious institutions and officials is prohibited. Those who have committed the above actions may be sentenced to fines, imprisonment, whipping or even death depending on the severity of the circumstances.
Refers to any behavior that tarnishes the image of Islam, degrades people, brings bad effects, or arouses viewers' disgust. Excessive intimacy such as kissing in public places, revealing clothing, cohabitation of unmarried men and women (or one unmarried), living alone with suspicion, or dressing of the opposite sex are all indecent behaviors and face fines or imprisonment, or both.
The Chinese Embassy in Brunei reminds Chinese citizens to strictly abide by local laws and regulations, including the Islamic Criminal Law, respect local religious beliefs and cultural customs, avoid punishment for misconduct, and ensure smooth and safe stay in Brunei .