Dictionary definition of “little red dot”

little red dot

n. the country of Singapore. Subjects: English, Singapore

Editorial Note: This term is now proudly taken by Singaporeans as evidence that Singapore’s importance is far greater than warranted by its size. Etymological Note: From comments made by former Indonesian President Bacharuddin Jusuf (B.J.) Habibie, shown in the first citation.

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Citations: 1998 Dow Jones International News (Aug. 3) “Singapore Strains/Habibie -2: Complains Of Timing Of Note”: Gesturing across the wood-paneled office, he points to a relief map of Indonesia and the surrounding region mounted on the far wall. “It’s OK with me, but there are 211 million people (in Indonesia),” he says. “Look at that map. All the green (area) is Indonesia. And that red dot is Singapore. Look at that.” 1998 Reuters (Aug. 23) “Singapore to help Indonesia within limits” (in Singapore): Comparing Singapore with the United States, Japan and Australia, Goh said: “We are not in the same class. 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?” Goh said. In an interview earlier this month Indonesia President B.J. Habibie was quoted as referring to Singapore as a “red dot” on a map. 2004 Channel NewsAsia (Jan. 28) “DPM Lee says proper reporting of bird flu cases difficult in big countries” (in Jakarta, Indonesia): There are things which happened in a country like this where they investigate for months and are still not quite sure what took place. That’s the reality. So that’s the way Southeast Asia is and we are in Southeast Asia and it’s our job to be the little red dot which everybody knows is something special. 2005 Straits Times (Singapore) (Jan. 20) “Little red dot is sometimes misunderstood”: The key reason for this is Singapore’s unique position: It is neither a developed or developing country, nor fully a member of the East or West. “The world is mystified by us, how a little red dot has done so much is the source of much misunderstanding.” 2005 Lee Seck Kay Straits Times (Singapore) (June 1) “Time to create the Singapore icon”: This “City of Flight” status, among Singapore’s many other accomplishments, is another stride towards becoming one of the great cities of the world. Surely, the “little red dot” on the map must now be taken more seriously and with greater respect. 2006 Meng Yew Choong The Star (Malaysia) (Feb. 5) “Red-hot design on show”: How this tiny republic, also affectionately known as “the little red dot” among its citizens, persuaded the German museum it is the right place for another Red Dot is a tale that deserves to be told.

Posted 14 Feb 06 | Permalink | Tell a Friend

Reader comments:

red dot = kwan yew
kwan yew = the man who recovered singaporean dignity among other nations in south east asia and also the man who have an ability to build a good relationship with all of neighboring countries.

by raisa 26 Sep 08, 0338 GMT