Brunei a throwback to an age of absolute monarchy

ARCHIVES 2013

By admin-s On Oct 30, 2013

(The Telegraph) – The impending adoption of Sharia has led to calls for Britain, Brunei’s closest ally, to re-assess its relationship with a former Protectorate which won independence as recently as 1984.

With a swing of his powerful arm, a prison guard landed a wicked-looking cane on the back of a dummy dressed in the white uniform of convicts in Brunei.

“It doesn’t hurt as much as you think,” he said.

Earlier this month, the International Convention Centre in Brunei’s capital, Bandar Seri Begawan, was hosting a regional summit with the likes of John Kerry, the US secretary of state, and President Xi Jinping of China.

Last week, however, it was the venue for a three-day event designed to showcase the Sultan of Brunei’s decision to adopt Sharia for his country’s Muslim population. Robes worn by judges were put on display and Islamic scholars gave speeches.

But the caning demonstration brought home the harsh reality of a penal code which punishes adultery with death by stoning, theft with amputation by sword – and drunkeness with 40 lashes from a rattan cane.

From next April, the Muslims who are 70 per cent of Brunei’s 400,000-strong population will risk all these punishments. And despite the guard’s assertion, just three or four strokes of his cane will break the skin and leave most victims scarred for life.

The impending adoption of Sharia has led to calls for Britain, Brunei’s closest ally, to re-assess its relationship with a former Protectorate which won independence as recently as 1984.

David Cameron was already facing criticism for agreeing to attend next month’s Commonwealth summit in Sri Lanka, where human rights abuses are common. The Prime Minister is now being pressed to condemn Brunei’s embrace of laws widely regarded as barbaric and draconian.

“London has a very important role in trying to get the Sultan to re-consider this drastic move to a criminal Sharia system,” said Phil Robertson, deputy director of the Asia division of Human Rights Watch. “There needs to be a major international outcry to stop this law and Great Britain should take the lead, starting by raising public concerns at the upcoming Commonwealth meeting.”