The Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada made the decision to  following a 20-minute hearing on Tuesday.

Mr Hazim is a a student at the University of Winnipeg and had claimed asylum after fearing for his life if sent back to Malaysia.

It was reported that Hazim’s family disowned him and refused to pay his Canadian school fees after they discovered his sexuality.

Hazim alleged that he was threatened by members of the public in Malaysia due to his sexuality and remarked that it would be impossible for him to live in the country under the radar as his story has attracted media attention.

"It (the board's decision) was overwhelming and I feel really, really, loved and appreciated," Mr Hazim was quoted in an interview with CBC. "I'm trying to fight for survival because Malaysia's not welcoming of homosexuals," he added.

Mr Hazim's lawyer Bashir Khan said "Hazim walked in as a refugee claimant and he is walking out as a protected person.”