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PM Lee talks about need to be "messy selectively"

Singapore is allowing its society to get a little messier, as it strikes a balance between control and building a more creative environment.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said this while speaking at the Singapore Symposium held in New Delhi, India, where he is on a three-day official visit.

The symposium, organised by the Institute of South Asian Studies and the Asepan India Centre, attracted analysts, thinkers and politicians from both countries who shared their views on various international and local issues.

He made the comments in response to a question posed from a participant, who asked if Singapore's leaders would allow some "mess" in order to foster a more vibrant and creative society.

"I will become messy selectively," he said, to laughter and applause from the participants.

The Prime Minister then cited two examples -- the culling of wild boars and street graffiti -- to bring home his point.

In the case of the country's growing wild boar population, which is causing problems, he said that in the past, the issue would be dealt with immediately. But now, he added, the process takes longer as people are given a chance to express their views.

"There are animal lovers who feel you shouldn't cull them, sterilise them, maybe you should keep them in the zoo and have an exhibit of wild boars. Others would say they are part of the natural system and if they exist, it is good.

"But there are also families who say the wild boar killed my dog, another family says the wild boar knocked over my child, better do something about it. Finally, we have to do something about it."

He explained the need to engage and consult the various stakeholders. "There are some areas where you must accept that you cannot do things in a linear or hierarchical way. I decide, you refine, he implements. You have to have an interaction, discussion. There will be objections, you have views but something has to be done."

The Prime Minister, however, draws the line at street graffiti, calling it something he "would strongly discourage".

While he did not mention specific incidents, there was much debate generated over last month's arrest of a 25-year-old woman, Samantha Lo, who allegedly pasted stickers on traffic signs and painted Singlish phrases on local roads.

"We invite graffiti artists, by invitation, to perform on designated walls -- with permission. But if you decide to freelance, extra, I'd better do an investigation on how it came about," he said.

We want to do this in a controlled way. If the Pandora box is open, then we can't put the demons back."