THE decision by the State Secretary to refuse Taman Ria Senayan permission to be turned into a mall is a great relief. It is difficult to imagine what would happen if the permit was issued and won the support of the House of Representatives (DPR). The Senayan area would be plunged into urban chaos. The people of Jakarta would lose yet another green area that should be part of the city’s lungs.

It was PT Ariobimo Laguna Perkasa that asked for t