Workplace stress may be among the factors that influence individuals to become involved in the LGBT community, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Dr Zulkifli Hasan.

LGBT behaviour might emerge from several factors

In a written parliamentary reply, he cited a 2017 study which found that social influences, sexual experiences and other personal circumstances such as lack of religious practice also contribute to an individual embracing the LGBT lifestyle. The study suggested that LGBT-related behaviour may emerge from a combination of these factors rather than a single cause.

Dr Zulkifli was responding to a question from Datuk Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff (PN–Rantau Panjang), who had sought updated information on LGBT trends in Malaysia, including age distribution, ethnic background and key contributing factors. He said, however, that the government does not maintain official statistics on the size of the LGBT population in the country.

In a separate response to a parliamentary question from Hulu Terengganu MP Datuk Rosol Wahid, Dr Zulkifli said a total of 135 LGBT-related cases were recorded between 2022 and 2025, involving arrests and prosecutions.

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