The Forest Research Institute Malaysia (Frim) is in the process building a three-metre high concrete wall along its perimeter bordering Taman Ehsan in Selangor.

We, the residents of Taman Ehsan have written to the director-general of Frim, the press, our member of parliament and the Selayang town council highlighting our opposition to the wall.

Frim's director Dr Saw Leng Guan called a press conference to defend Frim's decision to build the three-metre high wall around their proposed Botanic Gardens.

About six years ago, a whole hill of mature pine forest next to the Sungai Buloh toll plaza (presently Damansara Damai) was taken away from Frim by a major property developer. There was not a whimper then from Frim's management to protest this rape of Frim territory.

Frim claims the Botanic Gardens will be turned into a world-class park. If so, why the need to erect a prison-like wall to 'protect' this world-class park? If it is a world-class park, there is all the more reason why people should get to enjoy its beauty instead of hiding it behind a prison wall.

Granted, Frim has the right to erect fencing around its park. In a democracy, everyone has the right to swing his or her arms. However there is a limit as to how far each person can swing his or her arms. The limit is where the other person's nose begins.

In this case, Frim has swung its arms way beyond the limit, thereby giving its neighbours bloody noses and smashed heads.

We find the concrete wall jarring to the eyes and oppressive to our mental well being. It spoils the beauty of the park and the adjacent residential areas. The wall symbolises Frim's complete insensitivity to the needs and feelings of the people residing adjacent to the wall.

We have enough of concrete jungle in Kuala Lumpur as it is.