February 12, 10:19 AM 
514 Chai Chee Lane 03-16, Singapore 469029 Singapore's only satirical news website, New Nation, published an article yesterday, claiming that PM Lee Hsien Loong has unfriended Indonesia President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Facebook.
The article has become an instant troll bait. Numerous Indonesian media outlets were quick to bite and run off with the story, thinking it is credible and real and causing a bit of a stir.
The fact that there are 64 million active FB users in Indonesia alone probably had something to do with the shareability of the story.
More interesting to note: The news outlets appear to take the "unfriending" more badly than Singapore's cancellation of invitations to 100 Indonesian officials to the Singapore Airshow over the recent row with Indonesia naming a warship after terrorists.
Regardless, here are some of the Indonesian publications that got bought the tall tale and those that saw through it (kudos to those who did):
Tribun News (Trolled!)
Google Translation of Headline: "Singapore Prime Minister Remove SBY from Friends List Facebook"
Metro TV News (Trolled!)
Established on Nov. 25, 2000, Metro TV is Indonesia's first 24-hour news channel. It has over 53 transmission sites all over Indonesia and is owned by the same owner who owns Media Indonesia.
Google Translation of Headline: "Internet sites mention Singapore PM Lee Unfriend SBY on Facebook"
Kompass (Not Trolled)
Published by Kompas-Gramedia Group, Kompass has been in circulation since 1965.
Kompas print edition has an average circulation of 500,000 copies per day.
Google Translate: "Chaos surrounding KRI Usman-Harun, satire on Singapore PM blocking President (SBY's) Facebook circulating"
For the record, PM Lee did not unfriend President SBY on Facebook. PM only has fans on his FB page.
Unconvinced?
Checked out President SBY's Twitter account.
Source: Lee Hsien Loong Twitter
Yes, our bilateral relations with Indonesia on Twitter remains strong.
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Top photo from New Nation.
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