 The status of a British outpost in Singapore seemed initially in doubt as the Dutch government soon protested to Britain for violating the Netherlands ' sphere of influence . But as Singapore rapidly emerged as an important trading post , Britain consolidated its claim on the island . The Anglo @-@ Dutch Treaty of 1824 cemented the status of Singapore as a British possession , carving up the Malay archipelago between the two colonial powers with the area north of the S826 , Singapore was grouped by the British East India Company together with Penang and Malacca to form the Straits Settlements , administered by the British East India Company . In 1830 , the Straits Settlements became a residency , or subdivision , of the Presidency of Bengal in British India . 
