SYARIAH PENAL CODE ORDER DECLARATION CEREMONY

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN April 30. His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam today announced the enforcement of Phase One of the Syariah Penal Code Order with effect from May 1, 2014 during a declaration ceremony at the International Convention Centre today.

The first phase of the Order covers general offences set by the state, including disrespecting the month of Ramadhan and not performing Friday prayers. The general offences are punishable by fines, imprisonment or both.

Corporal punishment such as whipping and amputation of limbs for crimes such as theft will not be enforced until the second phase. The death penalty will come into force in the third phase.

The implementation comes into force six months after His Majesty announced the gazette of the Islamic criminal law last October. Brunei Times