The nickname “Little Red Dot”, a reference to how Singapore is represented in the world map, was first coined by late President of Indonesia Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie in an article published in the Asian Wall Street Journal on August 4th, 1998.
The region was then suffering from the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis and late President Habibie was discontented with the lack of support from Singapore. In the article, he mentioned: “It’s OK with me, but there are 211 million people [in Indonesia].” He continued, “Look at that map. All the green is Indonesia. And that red dot is Singapore. Look at that.”
Many have viewed the comment as a dismissal of Singapore which late President Habibie denied, stressing that he had meant to highlight Singapore’s ability to survive and thrive in spite of its small size and lack of natural resources. Singaporeans have also come to embrace the term with a sense of achievement. In fact, it has become a badge of pride and was the inspiration behind the simple yet symbolic “SG50” red dot logo.
Former Indonesian president was first to call S'pore a 'Red Dot' in 1998
Habibie: “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,”
These days, Singapore is very frequently and affectionately referred to as the "Little Red Dot", by both Singaporeans and foreigners alike. This clear-cut description is a reference to how Singapore is often depicted as a tiny red dot on many world maps, due to its relatively small size.
However, for the uninitiated or those who are too young, the term did not begin as a positive one. In fact, it was originally used to belittle Singapore's size and influence. In 1997, the Asian Financial Crisis dealt a huge blow to Indonesia's economy. The rupiah plummeted in value and Indonesia's gross domestic product (GDP) shrank by 15 percent. There were riots throughout the country, mainly targeting Chinese Indonesians, who bore the brunt of what has been likened to a pogrom.
On the other hand, Singapore did not suffer as much from the crisis, though there was a downturn due to the loss of demand and confidence in the region. The severe economic crisis forced then Indonesian President Muhammad Suharto to resign. But his successor, B.J. Habibie, felt that the Singapore government did not welcome his accession. The late Lee Kuan Yew even remarked at that time that markets would react negatively and the rupiah would crash if Habibie became vice-president. Singapore's apparent reluctance to support Habibie led him to criticise Singapore in an article published in the Asian Wall Street Journal on Aug. 4, 1998. The Indonesian president then pointed at the map and said: "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."
Former Indonesian president who coined the term ‘Red dot Singapore’ is still in hospital
Former Indonesian President Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie who is well-known among Singaporean politicians for his remarks on Singapore being ‘the red dot’, is still recuperating in hospital. Better known as BJ Habibie, he was in intensive care at the Gatot Soebroto Army Central Hospital where he is still recuperating.
Many personalities in Indonesia are conveying messages of convalescence to the ex-President known in Indonesia for his role in the post-Suharto era. During Habibie’s short reign as President, the term “little red dot” gained popularity in Singapore. Habibie’s comments, “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,” will remain a historic remark.
It caused an outcry in Singapore as it was seen as a dismissal of the country, but Habibie denied that that was his intention. The term was quickly adopted by both Singaporean politicians and ordinary citizens. Some say people used the term to showcase the nation’s success despite its limitations. Whether it is related to Habibie’s statement or not, in 2015, Singapore celebrated the 50th anniversary of its independence with the term “SG50” depicted inside a red dot.
Former Indonesian president Habibie, who described Singapore as a 'little red dot', dies aged 83
Indonesia's third president B. J. Habibie died at an army hospital in Jakarta on Sept 11, 2019
Former Indonesian President Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie, who allowed democratic reforms and an independence referendum for East Timor following the ouster of the dictator Suharto, has died. He was 83. His unpopular presidency was the shortest in modern Indonesia's history but was transformative.
Mr Habibie's son, Mr Thareq Kemal Habibie, said Indonesia's third president died on Wednesday (Sept 11) at Jakarta's Gatot Subroto army hospital, where he had been undergoing treatment for heart problems since Sept 1.
In 1998, Mr Habibie described Singapore as being no more than a "little red dot". Singaporeans have since embraced that nickname, using it to underline how the island nation has transcended size to take its place on the world stage.
Little red dot
"Little red dot", also known as "The Red Dot", is a nickname often used in the media and in casual conversation to refer to Singapore. It refers to how the nation is depicted on many maps of Asia and the world as a red dot. The sovereign country and city-state, comprising the main island and all its islets, has a total land area of approximately 750 square kilometres (290 sq mi; 190,000 acres) and is much smaller than its Southeast Asian neighbours.
Initially used as a pejorative by other countries to refer to Singapore, the term was quickly adopted and reappropriated by Singaporean politicians and citizens with pride as a sense of the nation's prosperity and 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 third Indonesian president, B. J. Habibie, was regarded as having criticized Singapore in an article published in the Asian Wall Street Journal on 4 August 1998. It was reported that Habibie had remarked that he did not feel 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]. Look at that map. All the green [area] is Indonesia. And that red dot is Singapore. Look at that." The remark was seen as a dismissal of Singapore, having referred to the country in a disparaging manner.
