West sends Brunei into China’s arms with outrage over its anti-gay sharia laws
- As oil reserves run out, Brunei looks to China to back critical development projects as it faces Western censure over sharia laws many say are only for show
- At the same time, predominantly-Muslim nation is using the tough laws to shore up support from a populace facing rising unemployment
From celebrities to ministers, condemnation from the West has been heaped on Brunei for enacting harsh anti-gay laws that prescribe death by stoning for various offences – but the tiny oil-rich nation has showed little concern it may be making foes of its traditional friends.
Neither is it likely to fully alienate the West, observers say, despite remaining resolute on the implementation of sharia law in the face of backlash from world leaders.
“Brunei has been practising hedge diplomacy in its foreign policy,” says Mustafa Izzuddin, a fellow at Singapore’s ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute. “However, the greater the criticism from Western countries – including resorting to boycotts – the more likely Brunei will turn to Asia and in particular, China, which has cleverly stayed clear of Brunei’s domestic affairs.”
The greater the criticism from Western countries – including resorting to boycotts – the more likely Brunei will turn to Asia and in particular, China.