THE decision has been made. Two weeks ago, on March 11, the Megawati government issued a regulation in lieu of law—Perpu No. 1/2004—allowing mining companies to operate in protected forests in Indonesia. Under the new regulation, 13 mining companies will be issued the necessary operating licenses by presidential decree. Law No. 41/1999 clearly provides that no open-pit mining activities may be carried out in protected forest areas.