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!

Data & Recovery

Say Hello to the Secure Cloud Storage Alternative Entrepreneurs Need

Secure, scalable, and cost-effective: Internxt is the smarter choice for cloud storage.

Career

Why Entrepreneur Stands Against the PRO Act

The Protecting the Right to Organize Act could do lasting harm to the small-business and franchise community.

Business Solutions

Still Paying for Adobe Acrobat? Try This Instead.

Everything you need in a PDF editor—minus the subscription.

Business News

These Companies Offer the Best Work-Life Balance, According to Employees

The ranking is based on Glassdoor ratings and reviews.

Franchise

How Franchising Can Alleviate Entrepreneurial Imposter Syndrome

The franchise model can alleviate entrepreneurial imposter syndrome and provide an alternative path towards professional independence.

Marketing

5 Critical Mistakes to Avoid When Giving a Presentation

Are you tired of enduring dull presentations? Over the years, I have compiled a list of common presentation mistakes and how to avoid them. Here are my top five tips.