Kaula Lumpur, July 31, 2013: Worshippers are upset over the demolition of the Sri Maha Muniandi temple by City Hall recently.

Temple caretaker Anpalagan Thandavaryam, 52, said he had sent a letter to the mayor and City Hall to ask for a seven-day extension when the notice was issued to tear down the small temple.

"We were shocked when a bulldozer and 25 City Hall enforcement officers tore down the temple at 8.45am on Wednesday (July 24)," he said.

He claimed that they were not shown any documents before the demolition and City Hall only filed a police report after the temple was demolished.

He said the temple was established in 1930 and was moved to the 6m by 6m space beside City View condominium three years ago.

"I've been taking care of this temple for many years and have watched it become a place of worship for many," said Anpalagan.

He said the shrine was run on charity and donations from devotees.

"We have not obstructed anyone's path. To see the temple being demolished is very depressing."

Temple devotee Datuk Bathumalai Apparu, 46, said this was not the proper way to demolish the temple.

"The statues of the temple along with other religious items were confiscated by City Hall and that is what saddens me," he said.

Bathumalai said devotees considered the temple to be sacred and it was disrespectful to have it demolished that way.

Vishnu Ramalingan, 36, said the devotees would not have minded relocating the temple.

"We can accept the fact that the area our temple sits on is wanted for development. What we asked for is just a bit more time before it was demolished," he said.

Vishnu said he and a group of devotees had gone to see an officer at the deputy Federal Territories Minister's office before the demolition.

"That officer said he would try to extend the demolition date," he said.

"The mayor, who visited us before the election, informed us that if any changes were to be made then our temple would be merged with another temple," he said.

He said Anpalagan received the demolition notice on July 15, and the mayor had said that the demolition would be put on hold until they could find a new location for the temple.

"Many people had placed their personal belongings in the temple altar and now how are we to account for them?" he added.

Vishnu urged City Hall to get them a location to set up a new temple and return the idols and altar ornaments to the caretaker.

The ministry's spokesman said the decision to demolish the temple was made long before they had asked for an extension.

"The temple was not registered with the Malaysian Hindu Sangam. They had to demolish the temple to make way for a new housing development," he said.