‘Stress at Work Turns People Gay’? Malaysian minister’s claim sparks backlash

2026-01-30 - 09:16

KUALA LUMPUR — A Malaysian cabinet minister has come under fire after linking work-related stress to involvement in the LGBT community, comments that have drawn mockery and criticism from the public and rights groups. Dr. Zulkifli Hasan, minister in the Prime Minister’s Department for Religious Affairs, made the remarks in a written reply to parliament, where he cited work stress, social influence and weak religious practice as factors behind what he described as “LGBT-related behaviour”. “Societal influence, sexual experiences, work stress, and other personal factors come under this category [of possible causes],” Zulkifli said in response to a question from opposition lawmaker Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff of the Islamist PAS party. The comments were made as part of a parliamentary inquiry into LGBT trends in Malaysia, including age groups, ethnicity and contributing factors. Zulkifli also said that between 2022 and 2025, authorities recorded 135 cases involving arrests or prosecutions related to LGBT activities. Same-sex relations remain illegal in Malaysia, and the minister’s remarks have reignited debate over official attitudes towards sexual minorities in the country.