No, I do not agree. The British were actually quite cunning. After breaking the Dutch monopoly of trade and after the accomplishment of Singapore, they started to `grab' Singapore into their hands slowly away from the Malay sultan and rajas. They, as the first step, forced the rajas and their followers into land reserves. Sultan Hussein was allotted a 56-acre site at Kampong Glam. The Temmengong was given some 200 acres between Tanjong Pagar and Telok Blangah. Next, they signed a new agreement with the two Malay Rajas, saying that Singapore, except for the land reserves, must be placed in the disposal of the British. Shares of the proceeds of the revenue farms were to be made standard (at a fixed price), for the Rajas were benefiting from it if the prices depended on the rise...