Malaysia's disgraced former health minister suggested Thursday political "enemies" were responsible for secretly making and distributing a sex video showing him committing adultery.
Chua Soi Lek, 60, also blamed the press for highlighting his political ambitions, which he hinted led rivals to target him.
"There is a lot of speculation that I have a political agenda and that I am a very ambitious man ... I think that was my biggest mistake," said Chua, who is married with three children.
Chua admitted Tuesday he and a "personal friend" were the ones videotaped having sex in a hotel room after a DVD was circulated anonymously last week in Malaysia. He resigned Wednesday as health minister, member of Parliament and vice president of the Malaysian Chinese Association, the No. 2 party in the governing coalition.
Police were investigating who made the sex video and how hidden cameras were installed in Chua's suite in a luxury hotel.
"Who are my enemies, I really don't know. But I am a politician and politicians will have enemies and supporters," Chua said.
Big embarrassment for government
The incident poses a major embarrassment for Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who is already facing a string of administrative and political headaches in an election year.
A former physician, Chua rose fast in national politics and the government after leaving his southern state of Johor less than four years ago. It was reported he was planning to contest the post of deputy president of the Malaysian Chinese Association by challenging the incumbent, Transport Minister Chan Kong Choy.
"The press will always say Dr. Chua is one who may be mounting a challenge against the deputy president, against the president. The press helped to kill me, to be honest," he said.
The political scandal erupted as Abdullah is expected to call snap elections this year.
The government is preparing Malaysians for a steep hike in fuel prices amid growing public disillusionment with slow economic progress and corruption allegations.
Abdullah is also trying to placate disgruntled minority Indians who are demanding racial equality, better job opportunities and religious freedom. Tens of thousands of Indians held a rare street protest in November.