Malaysian Minister Hasan claims that work stress 'makes people gay'. In a written parliamentary reply, he listed social influence, sexual experiences, and other personal factors as potential causes. His comments came as part of a parliamentary inquiry into LGBT trends, covering age, ethnicity, and contributing factors. Additionally, he noted that between 2022 and 2025, 135 cases related to LGBT activities, such as arrests or prosecutions, were recorded. The statement by Religious Affairs Minister Dr. Zulkifli Hasan has sparked controversy after he suggested that work stress is a factor that leads people to 'engage in the LGBT community'. His comments, presented in a written parliamentary reply, have drawn widespread ridicule and criticism from citizens and human rights advocates. According to the South China Morning Post, Hasan cited work stress, social influences, and a lack of religious practice as the main factors contributing to what he termed 'LGBT behavior'. As expected, many Malaysians satirized and mocked the statement on social media, with some sarcastically asking if the minister 'works hard in parliament' since he apparently hasn't 'turned gay'. On the other hand, human rights groups like Justice for Sisters labeled the claims 'misinformation', pointing out that major global health authorities, such as the World Health Organization, recognize sexual orientation as a natural part of human identity rather than a response to external stress.
