KUALA LUMPUR: Soup kitchens will no longer be allowed to operate within a 2km radius of Lot 10, which covers a large portion of the city centre, effective immediately, said Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor.

"This activity just encourages people to remain homeless and jobless. There have been many such people whom we have found jobs for, who returned to that life because they said it is easier," he said at press conference to present official appointment letters to representatives on the Non-Islam House of Worship committee in Menara DBKL here Thursday.

A Google Maps image of the city centre showing the two-kilometre radius around Lot 10.

He added that the sessions also resulted in littering and this in turn attracted scavengers that brought about diseases.

"We already have all kinds of garbage-related problems in the city and spend more than RM90mil a year collecting it. I do not see my actions as harsh but necessary in order to create a disciplined society," he said.

Tengku Adnan added that the soup kitchens have not been officially notified of this and a meeting with them to discuss it will be held soon.

However, he said they would be given the next two days to comply with the decision and action will be taken against those who continue to run the activities.