Brunei ‘won’t enforce death penalty for gay sex’

On Sunday (5 May), sultan Hassanal Bolkiah announced a moratorium on the extension of the death penalty to recently enforced legislation dating to 2014.

It comes following a global backlash against Brunei’s stance, which has seen people and firms boycotting businesses and venues with direct or financial links to the sultanate.

These include a number of holiday companies reviewing ties with Brunei: STA Travel has stopped selling flights with state-owned Royal Brunei Airlines, while Premier Holidays said last month it was reviewing the sale of Royal Brunei flights. Regent Holidays, meanwhile, has taken an itinerary featuring Brunei off sale.

Transport for London has also pulled the country’s tourism campaign across its network.

Protesters gathered outside the Brunei-owned Dorchester Hotel in London last month to protest the proposed enforcement of the legislation.