Get All Access for $5/mo

How Anti-LGBTQIA Laws Are Affecting Brunei's Economy Brunei is the first Southeast Asian country to introduce stoning punishment for gay sex

By Komal Nathani

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

You're reading Entrepreneur Asia Pacific, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media.

The international boycott against Brunei is growing. Days after the tiny oil-rich country introduced the stoning to death penalty for having gay or lesbian sex, thousands of LGBTQIA campaigners staged a protest in London in front of one of the Dorchester Hotels that has ties with the Sultan of Brunei.

The protestors have demanded the British government to cut all ties with Brunei until the decision is overturned.

In other countries, authorities have voiced against Brunei's decision to implement one of the most barbaric Sharia laws against the LGBTQIA community.

Celebrities like George Clooney, Ellen DeGeneres and Elton John have taken to social media to express their disappointment and spread the word for revoking the law, urging people to boycot Brunei-owned hotels worldwide. The United Nations, too, has slammed the "cruel and inhumane" law.

Business Takes a Hit

The decision has hit the business of Brunei. The Dorchester Hotel chain, owned by the Sultan of Brunei, lost a string of high-profile bookings on April 6 after the outrage on streets from campaigners.

STA Travel, a global travel agency owned by privately-held Swiss conglomerate Diethelm Keller Group, refused to sell flights on national carrier, the Royal Brunei Airlines. What's more, Virgin Australia Airlines, the biggest airlines in Australia after Qantas, ended ties with Royal Brunei Airlines.

Raising the voice in solidarity, Deutsche Bank banned its staff from staying in the nine luxury hotels of the Dorchester Collection, which is owned by Brunei's state-owned Brunei Investment Agency (BIA).

After-effect

The wave of #BoycottBrunei has spread to universities as well. More than 50,000 people have signed a petition, calling on the Oxford University to rescind an honorary degree awarded to Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, 72, the world's second-longest reigning monarch and prime minister of the oil-rich country.

Komal Nathani

Former Correspondent, Entrepreneur Asia Pacific

A firm believer of hard work and patience. Love to cover stories that hold a potential to change the momentum of business world. Currently, a part of all-women web team of Entrepreneur’s Asia Pacific edition to jig the wheel of business journalism!

Fundraising

Will Investors Bite on a Pizza Wallet? Find Out on the Wild Season Finale of 'Elevator Pitch.'

On the season 12 finale of "Entrepreneur Elevator Pitch," contestants teach investors to look at ordinary things in a whole new way.

Franchise

These Are the Top New and Emerging Franchises of 2024 — And You Can Start One for Less Than $5,000

We evaluated new and emerging brands based on the same rigorous criteria used in the Franchise 500 process, analyzing more than 150 data points.

Side Hustle

When His Dad Died, He Took His Grief to the Mall and Shopped Sneaker Sales. Now His Hobby Is a $10 Million Side Hustle.

Vernon Simms just needed something to fill his time. Now, he's making thousands a month — and sharing his strategy with others.

Starting a Business

Nearly 50% of America's Workforce Has a Secondary Source of Income or Side Hustle. Here Are 7 Steps You Should Take to Create Lasting Value for Yours.

Today's entrepreneurs have the opportunity to generate long-lasting supplementary income if they take these steps.

Side Hustle

The Side Hustle She Started in a High School Locker Room Hit Multimillion-Dollar Revenue — and Taylor Swift Is a Fan: 'Invest in Yourself'

Elena Bonvicini, now 25, was inspired to start her side hustle during a 2016 visit to her grandparents in Wisconsin.

Personal Finance

This Candlestick Trading Masterclass Can Help You Unlock Passive Income for Your Business

Learn what it takes to make smart investments in the stock market.