The founding of the city-state in 1819 saw the arrival of thousands of Chinese, thereby transplanting to Singapore social systems already present in China itself.
Although the secret societies were commonly associated with violence, extortion and vice, they also played a part in building a social fabric for early Chinese migrants in Singapore.
They were given leeway to control the Chinese populace due to the hands-off policy adopted by the British colonial government, who hoped to create stability.
[4] Despite their founding principles of mutual assistance and bonding, secret societies have, over time, come to conjure up impressions of violence and disorder.
The early Chinese immigrants' clandestine activities and occasional turf wars proved too much of a problem for the British authorities.
The elevation of Singapore to a Crown Colony meant that London was willing to spend money and resources and provide proper administrators which it had been unprepared to do.
This ordinance also accorded the colonial government the power to inspect any society that was deemed dangerous to public peace.
This prevented the Chinese immigrants from joining the secret societies, causing it to reduce in influence in Singapore in the 19th century.
Even if the army of 595 men was brought in, they were still no match for the Chinese community consisting of 32,132 people (most of whom were secret society members).
So ineffective was the police force that the wealthy had to hire private watchmen and carry personal arms to ensure their own safety.
Even more significant was the hiring of Chinese police officers who could understand and deal with the problems associated with the secret societies.
The Protectorate effectively became a legitimate alternative where migrants could come and try solve their problems, instead of putting it forward to the societies for a normally violent conclusion.