Maldives National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MNCCI) on Tuesday filed a formal police complaint against individuals calling to boycott tourism and trade relations with the Maldives.

Speaking to reporters after filing the case, the Chamber’s vice president Ismail Asif said this was the first time in its history the Chamber has filed a case with the police.

However, the incessant calls for foreign tourists to boycott the Maldives and friendly nations to sever trade relations that could destroy the country’s fragile economy needs be put to a stop which prompted the Chamber to step in, Asif told local journalists.

The vice president said politicians along with members of the public were using various social media platforms to call the rest of the world to boycott the Maldives.

Though the case had not named any individuals, the police have been asked to investigate and stop such people from destroying the economy, Asif added.

Asif also accused the opposition of exploiting the political turmoil in the country to use the fragility of the economy as a weapon against the government.

Asif added that the country’s politicians must keep politics separate from tourism and the economy.