Was Singapore a colony, and why was its defense weak?

Was Singapore a British possession or only a friendly host for the naval base?

It was a British colony, but its governors emphasized revenue and underestimated the likelihood of a major Far Eastern attack.

Singapore had a governor and was formally a British colony rather than merely a friendly host for the naval base. Its administrative structure also contributed to a persistent defense problem. Governors in Singapore and Malaya concentrated on raising revenue and gave too little attention to defense. They appeared to assume that no major enemy would attack them in the Far East. That optimism left a gap between the base's imperial strategic importance and its protection. The answer helps explain why a designated fleet hub could remain vulnerable despite years of planning.