FEATURE The building is a testament to how integral the Sikh community is to the country's police force since the British colonial era.

Every Sunday morning, the sound of Sikh prayer recitals rings out along Jalan Balai Polis in Kuala Lumpur early in the day.

The prayers come from beyond the walls painted in the colours of the Royal Malaysian Police.

Behind the wall sits a historical Sikh temple, the 118-year-old Gurdwara Sahib Polis.

The building is a testament to how integral the Sikh community is to the country's police force since the British colonial era.

Gurdwara Sahib Polis president Hardev Singh shared that in the early days of the Royal Malaysian Police - then the Federated Malay States Police - Sikhs made up more than half of the police force.

He said the British had recruited Sikhs heavily into its force as they recognised the community's loyalty.

"We Sikhs are like that, we are as simple as - given a duty, our loyalty is there.

"And the best way to win our loyalty is to satisfy our religious and spiritual hunger," he said.

It is for this reason, he said, the British were willing to construct temples for the Sikh police community.