By Joseph DeCaro, Worthy News Correspondent
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, BRUNEI (Worthy News)-- The Sultan of Brunei has announced the implementation of severe corporeal punishments as his sultanate shifts towards a stricter interpretation of Sharia law, according to The Standard.
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah -- who first instituted Islamic law in 1966 -- said a new Sharia Penal Code would soon be implemented in phases; punishments will now include stoning to death for adultery, severing of limbs for theft and flogging for the consumption of alcohol.
Currently, Brunei has a dual court system with civil courts based on British law and Sharia courts that were limited to family issues and personal disputes.
More than half of Brunei's population is Muslim.