The Kuala Lumpur High Court has put off hearing a civil suit filed to prevent the government from demolishing Hindu temples nationwide.

A statement by Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) chairperson P Waytha Moorthy said no reason was given. The hearing was to have started on Thursday, but will now be held on March 26.

The public interest suit was filed on Dec 18 last year by human rights lawyer P Uthayakumar on behalf of Hindraf and two million Hindus in the country.

It named Selangor Menteri Besar Dr Mohd Khir Toyo and nine other government officials, among others, as defendants.

Uthayakumar has also initiated contempt proceedings against Khir over the demolition of a temple in Semenyih.

Waytha Moorthy said the suit has attracted the attention of Geneva-based International Commission of Jurists and the London-based Commonwealth Lawyers Association.

"They have expressed concern and will be holding a watching brief (when the hearing begins)," he added.