Work pressure can make you gay? Malaysian minister links job stress to LGBT lifestyle, sparks online backlash

Malaysian minister links work pressure to LGBT lifestyle. (Image: reddit/AI-generated)

A statement by Malaysia’s Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) has sparked widespread discussion and debate online. The comments, which link workplace stress to sexual orientation, have quickly drawn reactions from social media users.

As reported by the New Strait Times, Dr Zulkifli Hasan said that work-related stress could be one of the factors that lead people to engage in the LGBT lifestyle. His remarks, made in response to a parliamentary question, have raised questions about the reasoning behind such claims.

Dr Zulkifli was responding to a question from Datuk Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff, who asked for updated information on LGBT trends in Malaysia, including age, ethnicity, and factors contributing to these trends. The minister said the government does not have official statistics on the size of the LGBT population in the country.

He referred to a 2017 study by Sulaiman et al., saying multiple factors may influence what he called an LGBT lifestyle. These include social influences, sexual experiences, work-related stress, and other personal factors. “The study emphasised that the combination of these elements may contribute to the development of LGBT-related behavior,” he said. Dr Zulkifli also noted that a lack of religious practice may contribute.

In Malaysia, same-sex intimacy remains criminalised under the Federal Penal Code of 1936, which prohibits “carnal intercourse against the order of nature” and “outrages on decency”. Those found guilty may face up to 20 years in prison and whipping, and the laws apply to both men and women.

Dr Zulkifli’s comments were shared widely on social media, where many users questioned the logic behind his statements. On Reddit, one user jokingly said, “Yes yes. Please increase minimum wage, lower living cost, enhance labour law, reduce salary of useless ministers. Or else I will turn gay!”

Another comment read, “By this logic, I’m genuinely shocked my entire office isn’t gay by now.” Some suggested changes to working conditions as a solution, saying, “To reduce the likelihood of this happening, we must implement a compulsory 4 day work week.”

[UPDATED] Religious Minister: Work stress among factors linked to LGBT lifestyle byu/Mo0nji inmalaysia

Another added, “What? Ignore this stupid comment! Government, if you are seeing this, make it so that we only work four days a week. Those who want to work more can do overtime, unless you want the whole country to go super gay mode.”

One redditor claimed, “Homosexuals have existed longer than most religions. But yeah, sure lets blame it on work stress. Lol.” While another added, “Yes it's true, now please increase minimum wages. So no one will be stressed.”