2 min readNew DelhiJan 29, 2026 03:40 PM IST Dr Zulkifli Hasan, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs), Malaysia, is under fire after he associated workplace stress with sexual orientation. Dr Hasan made the comments during a parliamentary session. Responding to a question raised by Datuk Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff, who sought updated data on LGBT trends in Malaysia, Dr Hasan said work-related stress could be among the factors that lead individuals to adopt what he described as an LGBT lifestyle. These factors, he said, include social environment, sexual experiences, work-related stress, and other personal circumstances. Dr Zulkifli added that insufficient religious practice could be another contributing factor, The Straits Times reported. He informed that from 2022 to 2025, a total of 135 cases related to LGBT activities were recorded as arrests or prosecutions. Dr Hasan’s statement did not sit well with several social media users and sparked criticism. “He answer a question by quoting a research which listed a few factors, including work. Enough with the propaganda,” a user wrote. “Somebody in …