Work-related stress, social influences, and a lack of religious practice are among the factors that may lead individuals to adopt an LGBT lifestyle, according to Dr. Zulkifli Hasan, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs).
Citing a 2017 study by Sulaiman et al., he noted that multiple factors—such as social pressures, sexual experiences, work-related stress, and other personal circumstances—can influence involvement in what he described as LGBT-related behaviour.
“The study highlighted that a combination of these factors may contribute to the development of LGBT-related behaviour,” he stated in a written parliamentary reply.
Dr. Zulkifli was responding to Datuk Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff (PN–Rantau Panjang), who requested updated data and statistics on LGBT trends in Malaysia, including age and ethnic breakdowns, as well as the key factors driving increases in LGBT cases.
However, he added that the government does not have official statistics on the size of the LGBT population in Malaysia, noting that comprehensive data on this group remains limited.
