Just days after a minister admitted that a sex DVD featured him, anti-spy electronic devices are selling like hot cakes, especially to influential people, New Straits Times daily reported yesterday.

Many people, fearing intrusion into their privacy, are looking at ways to avoid the fate of former health minister Chua Soi Lek who admitted that he and a woman had been secretly filmed while having sex in a hotel room.

More than 1,000 such devices that can detect hidden closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras and mobile phones, have been sold since news of Datuk Seri Chua's indiscretions made headlines.

It is learnt that several prominent businessmen and politicians who visit China regularly on work or on holiday have been using the device in their bedrooms, NST said.

Even a Cabinet minister has bought a unit, saying: 'It is very difficult to identify one's enemies, especially in politics.

'People who are out to topple you in politics will resort to anything including recording or filming whom you see and what you say,' he said.

His RM160 ($70) unit will emit a beep if it detects electronic devices such as CCTV cameras and hidden handphone usage within a radius of 10m.

The minister, who did not want to be identified, said many were flocking to outlets selling electronic items to buy such devices.

The device which the politician uses to sweep a room is a little longer than a cigarette lighter and can detect any device within a certain frequency range.

The person who sold the device to him said he had run out of stock due to overwhelming demand.

'I do not have any more in stock due to heavy demand from people, including politicians, corporate figures and women,' he said, adding that he was more accepting orders.

The device is also available at popular Malaysian online auction websites.

A check by the NST newspaper found a number of people selling such devices in the past week.

One online seller offered the device for RM120 each with the tag, 'Spy Camera Detector - Hot in town - get it before you get trapped!'

The head of the public services and complaints department of the Malaysian Chinese Association, Datuk Michael Chong, also bought a similar device last Sunday.

'Apparently, it's out of stock in most outlets,' said Datuk Chong.

The RM50 made-in-China unit that he bought can detect hidden CCTV cameras within a 50cm range.

'I have to move around if I want to check if there is a hidden CCTV camera inside my room. If there is, it will emit a warning sound.'

He said he has advised people, especially women, to buy such units 'as they can be filmed in the toilet or dressing room'.

Chairman of anti-corruption body Transparency International, Mr Ramon Navaratnam, said the authorities should step up efforts to counter invasion of privacy.

'Given the deterioration of values in our society, I can understand why these camera detectors are becoming popular,' he said.