Kuala Lumpur, Jan 28 (V7N) — Malaysia’s Religious Affairs Minister Dr. Zulkifli Hassan has stated that work-related pressure may influence some individuals to become involved with the LGBT community, according to Malaysian media reports.

Daily Express Malaysia and NST Online reported on Tuesday that the minister made the remarks while responding to a question in Parliament regarding trends within the LGBT community in the country.

Dr. Zulkifli said that intense work pressure could, in some cases, push individuals toward certain social environments, adding that such factors may influence personal behavior. He also referenced a 2017 study, noting that social influences, personal experiences, and other individual factors can play a role in shaping LGBT-related behaviors.

The comments were made in response to a parliamentary question raised by Zailah Mohamad Yusof, who sought information on current trends, age distribution, ethnic composition, and key influencing factors related to the LGBT community in Malaysia.

In his reply, the minister clarified that the Malaysian government does not maintain official statistics on the total number of LGBT individuals in the country. However, he noted that 135 cases related to LGBT issues were recorded between 2022 and 2025, based on available data.

The remarks have sparked discussion in Malaysia, where LGBT-related issues remain socially and legally sensitive, and where public debate often reflects religious and cultural perspectives.

END/SMA/AJ