Last Updated:
Zulkifli Hasan linked work stress to the “LGBT standard of living,” sparking jokes and criticism on social media. Thilaga Sulathireh called his claims misinformation and entreated a retraction.

Malaysia’s minister for non secular affairs Zulkifli Hasan (X)
Malaysian minister for non secular affairs Zulkifli Hasan has commended that work-connected stress is one among the motive other folks are drawn into the “LGBT standard of living,” sparking jokes on social media.
Hasan said that people are supposedly drawn into the “LGBT lifestyle” because of labor stress, social rigidity, sexual skills, and insufficient non secular practice.
He turned into as soon as responding to a query by Opposition MP Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff who had asked for most neatly-liked statistics on LGBT-connected points in Malaysia, in conjunction with a demographic breakdown by age and ethnicity, and key causes for the upward thrust in such circumstances. It’s to be famend that very same-sex relatives stay unlawful in Malaysia.
VNexpress World quoted the minister replying that the chief does no longer defend entire data on the size of the LGBT community, pronouncing unswerving figures stay little.
On the question of causes, he cited a 2017 sight 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 World reported.
In the meantime, the narrate has sparked jokes on X.
No doubt one of many users stated: “What the hell does sexual skills must attain with being allotment of the LGBT community?”
Expressing shock at the narrate, yet any other person stated: “I’m sorry what….”
“Ik right here’s rage bait nonetheless they lowkey got me taking into consideration the truth that I’m stressed out and bisexual,” a third user said.
“By this logic, I’m genuinely shocked my entire office isn’t gay by now,” a social media person stated.
No doubt one of many users corelated the minister’s comment with the efficiency of elected representatives in the parliament, pronouncing, “In assorted phrases: they never work difficult 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 physique of workers Justice for Sisters told This Week in Asia.
“In fact differ in sexual orientation, gender id, gender expression and sex characteristics is totally natural and same old. This has been confirmed by clinical and assorted bodies,” Thilaga added. “The minister must retract and correct the misinformation.”
Handpicked tales, in your inbox
A e-newsletter with the finest of our journalism
First Printed:
January 29, 2026, 00:03 IST
News world Malaysian Minister Says Work Stress Makes Of us Homosexual, Citizens Establish a query to If He ‘Works Exhausting In Parliament’
Disclaimer: Comments replicate users’ views, no longer News18’s. Please motivate discussions respectful and optimistic. Abusive, defamatory, or unlawful feedback will be removed. News18 might maybe maybe disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you compromise to our Terms of Expend and Privateness Protection.
Read More




