[5][7][8] A treaty of central importance to the modern history of Singapore and its national mythos, its legacy remains complex, with both critical and pragmatic views about what it represents and means for the country.

In 1786 and 1791, the British East India Company signed treaties with the Sultan of Kedah to acquire Penang in the Malay Peninsula.

[15] In the autumn of that same year, in order to counter the Dutch influence in the region, he went to India and successfully persuaded the governor there to support him in finding a suitable location in the southeast of the Strait of Malacca to open up a new British post.

[1] He immediately arranged to meet with the Temenggong, Abdul Rahman,[1] the local noble in charge of maintaining law and order.

[18] They signed a provisional agreement two days later to allow the UK to establish a trading post there, and the Union Jack was hoisted.

[12] On 6 February 1819, Sir Raffles, Sultan Hussein, and Temenggong Abdul Rahman signed the Treaty of Singapore in a public ceremony, and the Union Jack was once again hoisted afterwards.

[20] Sultan Hussein also assured that the company would be protected from enemies in return for the same commitment from the UK, but Britain was not to get involved in internal conflicts.

[20] In addition, Sultan Hussein and Temenggong Abdul Rahman guaranteed the UK that they would “not enter into any treaty with any other nation… nor admit or consent to the settlement in any part of their Dominions of any other power European or American”.

[24] But less than a month, on 1 March 1819, the UK demanded Temengung Abdul Rahman and Sultan Hussein to sign a statement saying they gave their consent to the British to start a trading post there.

[5] To coordinate and organise activities to commemorate the 200th anniversary, the government established the Bicentennial Office in late 2017, more than a year earlier.

[5] When 2019 came, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong held a ceremony to launch the year-long commemoration on 28 January, the day when Sir Raffles landed in Singapore for the first time.

[34] The then Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew decided to deliver a speech on 6 February to start the year-long series of celebrations,[35] corresponding to the date when the Treaty of Singapore was signed.

[38] During the seven-day visit, Princess Alexandra attended the Singapore National Day Parade and interacted with Singaporeans in addition to participating in commemorative events for the sesquicentennial.

[42] Commemorative events on Centenary Day included a thanksgiving service at St Andrew's Cathedral, boat races, parades, and others.

[8] Festivities were held and enjoyed by every major ethnic group in Singapore, including Arab, Tamil, Muslim, Eurasian, and Jewish communities.