Overview
- In a written answer to Parliament, Zulkifli Hasan cited a 2017 study and listed societal influence, sexual experiences, work stress and personal factors as contributors to what he called LGBT behaviour.
- He said the government lacks comprehensive data on the LGBT population and reported 135 arrests related to LGBT activities from 2022 to 2025 that did not proceed to prosecution, with counselling or rehabilitation used instead.
- Responding to criticism, he urged Malaysians to read the full text of his reply and reiterated that the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) rejects the normalisation of LGBT identities.
- LGBTQ+ advocates, including Justice for Sisters’ Thilaga Sulathireh, labeled the statements misinformation and called for a retraction.
- The exchange follows heightened scrutiny of LGBTQ events, including action by police and religious authorities over a planned “Glamping with Pride” retreat in recent weeks.