"Work Stress Drives LGBT Behavior," Claims Malaysian Religious Minister

Dr. Zulkifli, a minister in the Prime Minister's Department, suggested that the pressures of work could influence individuals to join the LGBT community. Citing a purported 2017 study, he argued that alongside workplace stress, factors such as social influence, past sexual experiences, and various personal issues play a role in shaping such behaviors. His comments came in response to a query from Datuk Siti Zailah Mohd Yusof, the Member of Parliament for Rantau Panjang.

The MP had requested government data regarding the prevalence and total population of LGBT individuals in Malaysia. In his response, the minister admitted that the government maintains no official statistics on the exact number of LGBT people in the country, though he emphasized that state surveillance remains active.

Addressing separate inquiries, Dr. Zulkifli revealed that between 2022 and 2025, a total of 135 arrests or legal cases involving LGBT-related incidents were recorded in Malaysia. In the Muslim-majority nation, same-sex relations are strictly prohibited and carry severe legal penalties.

The minister's remarks have drawn sharp criticism from international human rights organizations and social media users. Experts have largely dismissed the link between "work stress" and gender identity or sexual orientation as "unscientific." However, such hardline stances remain common within the conservative political landscape of the country.