The health of popular tourist destination the Maldives has come under threat as the government ordered the closure of its luxury spa’s and massage parlors in the Islands capital Male and surrounding Islands.

The country’s President Mohamed Nasheed issued the ruling after bowing to pressure from the opposition parties who claim widespread sales of pork and alcohol in the predominantly Sunni Muslim nation were offensive, Reuters reported.

An opposition-led religious protest last week prompted a statement by President Mohamed Nasheed's office which declared that the government has ordered the closure of massage parlors and spas in the Maldives.

"Ironically, the same opposition leaders who railed against spas and the selling of alcohol and pork to tourists are some of the country's biggest resort owners,” The statement revealed.

However, former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom's opposition coalition Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) said the government move was aimed at leisure business owned by some opposition members.

Progressive Party of Maldives spokesman Ahamed Mahloof said “we never asked for the ban”.

"We wanted the liquor and massage clinics banned in inhabited islands to prevent prostitution and spread of drugs and alcohol to locals,” Ahamed Mahloof said.

“Nasheed is misusing the demands to take revenge by imposing the ban on resorts owned by the opposition members."

Tourism Minister Mariyam Zulfa said the decision had already caused concern and prompted calls from various reports affected.

"Several have raised concerns over our decision and we are considering allowing resorts to operate spas,” Mariyam Zulfa said.