Religious Minister: Work Stress May Lead Malaysians to Join LGBT Community, 135 Arrested Since 2022

From 2022 to 2025, a total of 135 cases were recorded for offences related to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs), Dr Zulkifli Hasan, said the findings are based on arrest statistics from the Syariah Enforcement Division, State Islamic Religious Affairs Department.

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They went through rehabilitation courses and related programmes

Dr Zulkifli was responding to a parliamentary question from the Member of Parliament (MP) for Hulu Terengganu, Datuk Rosol Wahid, regarding the number of LGBT-related arrests and prosecutions between 2022 and 2025.

In his written response, Dr Zulkifli revealed that the government is always sensitive in the enforcement aspect of Syariah crimes, not only LGBT cases but also other misconduct such as mushahaqah (lesbians), sodomy, and men posing as women among Muslims.

“Enforcement is not only focused on arrests, but action is also taken against individuals even in cases where there is insufficient evidence for prosecution.

“These include giving advice, counselling or being directed to attend awareness and rehabilitation courses regarding offences that are contrary to true Islamic morals and teachings.”

Moreover, the Religious Affairs Minister pointed out that the government is also implementing various da’wah programmes and special courses involving this group, aimed at guiding them in a better direction. These programmes aim to encourage individuals to understand, embrace, and practice Islam through wisdom.

Additionally, assistance is provided to secure employment or enter the business world.

Dr Zulkifli revealed that work stress may lead individuals to get involved in the LGBT community

Meanwhile, in another written Parliamentary reply, Dr Zulkifli stated that work stress may be one of the reasons individuals get involved in the LGBT community.

Responding to a question by Rantau Panjang MP Datuk Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff, who asked for the latest data and statistics on trends related to LGBT issues in Malaysia, the Religious Affairs Minister referred to a 2017 study stating that social influence, sexual experiences, and other personal factors also affect a person’s involvement with LGBT.

Dr zulkifli hasan

Dr Zulkifli stated,

“Regarding the factors that contribute to issues related to LGBT, among those shown in the study by Sulaiman et al. (2017), there are various factors that influence an individual’s involvement in the LGBT lifestyle.

“Social influence, sexual experiences, work-related stress, and other personal factors influence individuals to fall into this category. The study emphasises that the combination of these elements may contribute to the development of LGBT-related behaviour.”

However, the Religious Affairs Minister stated that there are no current statistics on the LGBT population in Malaysia as the government doesn’t keep track of such data.

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