Brunei has backtracked on laws introduced last month that would have made sex between men and adultery punishable by stoning to death.

Axar.az reports citing BBC.

Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah on Sunday extended a moratorium on the death penalty to the new legislation.

The reversal follows global outcry over the laws, including boycotts and celebrity protests.

While permitted for some crimes, no executions have been carried out in Brunei since 1957.

Last month Brunei rolled out a strict new interpretation of Islamic laws, or Sharia.

In a speech, the sultan said he was aware there had been "many questions and misperceptions" regarding the implementation of the legislation, called Syariah Penal Code Order (SPCO).