Malaysian Minister Says Work Stress Makes People Gay, Citizens Ask If He 'Works Hard In Parliament’

Last Updated:January 29, 2026, 00:03 IST

Zulkifli Hasan linked work stress to the “LGBT lifestyle,” sparking jokes and criticism on social media. Thilaga Sulathireh called his claims misinformation and urged a retraction.

Malaysia’s minister for religious affairs Zulkifli Hasan (X)

Malaysian minister for religious affairs Zulkifli Hasan has suggested that work-related stress is one of the reason people are drawn into the “LGBT lifestyle," sparking jokes on social media.

Hasan said that people are supposedly drawn into the “LGBT lifestyle" because of work stress, social pressure, sexual experience, and insufficient religious practice.

He was responding to a question by Opposition MP Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff who had asked for latest statistics on LGBT-related issues in Malaysia, including a demographic breakdown by age and ethnicity, and key reasons for the rise in such cases. It is to be noted that same-sex relations remain illegal in Malaysia.

VNexpress International quoted the minister replying that the government does not maintain comprehensive data on the size of the LGBT community, saying official figures remain limited.

On the question of causes, he cited a 2017 study by “Sulaiman et al" that listed possible influences such as work-related stress, social environment, sexual experiences, and a lack of religious practice, Mothership reported.

Responding to another parliamentary question, the minister said 135 people were arrested in connection with LGBT-related activities between 2022 and 2025. He, however, pointed out that the cases did not proceed to prosecution due to lack of evidence and they were instead given counselling or attend rehabilitative programmes.

The government has also organized what Zulkifli described as special courses aimed at guiding participants “in a more positive direction," VNexpress International reported.

Meanwhile, the claim has sparked jokes on X.

One of the users said: “What the hell does sexual experience have to do with being part of the LGBT community?"

Expressing shock at the claim, another user said: “I’m sorry what…."

“Ik this is rage bait but they lowkey got me considering the fact that I’m stressed and bisexual," a third user said.

“By this logic, I’m genuinely shocked my entire office isn’t gay by now," a social media user said.

One of the users corelated the minister’s comment with the performance of elected representatives in the parliament, saying, “In other words: they never work hard in the parliament?"

Minister Zulkifli’s statement has also been citicised by LGBTQ rights advocates.

“This misinformation reinforces the assumption that LGBT people’s sexual orientation and gender identity can be corrected, changed or are not real or as valid as cisgender heterosexual identities," Thilaga Sulathireh of LGBTQ rights group Justice for Sisters told This Week in Asia.

“The fact is diversity in sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics is completely natural and normal. This has been proven by medical and other bodies," Thilaga added. “The minister must retract and correct the misinformation."

News world Malaysian Minister Says Work Stress Makes People Gay, Citizens Ask If He 'Works Hard In Parliament’

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