Malaysia's health minister on Wednesday resigned a day after admitting that he was the person in a widely circulated, secretly filmed sex video, which has shocked this Muslim-dominated nation.

Dr Chua Soi Lek, who was also the vice president of the Malaysian Chinese Association, a component of prime minister Abdullah Badawi's ruling Barisan Nasional Party, has quit from all party posts. He also quit as member of parliament from Labis with immediate effect, national news agency Bernama reported.

His resignation came hours after he vowed not to quit over the controversial video. A 60-minute video of Chua, a married man with three children, showed the minister performing sexual acts with his unnamed female friend in a hotel room from four different angles.

The video, apparently filmed by a rival, had been in circulation before Chua became aware of it. The police have said they will investigate the hidden camera aspect of the sex act involving Chua.

Chua said on Tuesday that he had apologised to prime minister Abdullah Badawi, deputy prime minister Najib Razak and MCA president Ong Ka Ting. Chua's wife Wong Sek Hin said the family has accepted his regret and apology.

Chua was seen as a serious contender for the MCA deputy presidency and eventually for party presidency, but his indiscretion may have cost him his political career.