Little Red Dot

"Little red dot" (or "The Red Dot", or "Little Red Dot") is a nickname often used in the media, and in casual conversation, as a reference to Singapore. It refers to how the nation is depicted on many maps of the world and of Asia as a red dot. The city-state comprising the main island and all its islets – a total land area of no more than 718.3 square kilometres (277.3 sq mi) – is much smaller than its Southeast Asian neighbours.

The term gained wide publicity when the former President of Indonesia B. J. Habibie used it to refer to Singapore in what appeared to be a disparaging manner (though this was denied by him). The term was quickly adopted by both Singaporean politicians and ordinary citizens with pride and a sense of the nation's success despite its physical limitations.

In 2015, Singapore celebrated its Golden Jubilee, the 50th anniversary of its independence, with the term "SG50" depicted inside a red dot.

The term "little red dot" gained currency after the former Indonesian President B. J. (Bacharuddin Jusuf) Habibie was regarded as having criticized Singapore in an article published in the Asian Wall Street Journal of 4 August 1998. It was reported that Habibie had remarked that he did not have the feeling that Singapore was a friend, and had pointed to a map, saying: "It's O.K. with me, but there are 211 million people [in Indonesia]. All the green [area] is Indonesia. And that red dot is Singapore." The remark caused an outcry as it was seen as a dismissal of Singapore.

Former Prime Minister of Singapore, Goh Chok Tong, responded in his National Day Rally Speech on 23 August 1998. Goh called the effect of the Asian financial crisis in 1997 on Indonesia a "major tragedy", noting that the rupiah was worth only a fifth of what it was against the US dollar in June 1997; the banking system had almost collapsed; the economy was expected to contract by 15% in 1998; and that riots had taken place in the country in May 1998, mostly targeting Chinese Indonesians. He then said, "Singapore will help Indonesia within the limits of our ability. We are a small economy. ... After all we are only three million people. Just a little red dot on the map. Where is the capacity to help 211 million people?"

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Wikipedia