Why was Singapore chosen by the British?

Why was Singapore chosen by the British?

During the 19th century, European trading companies such as the British and the Dutch East India Companies were competing fiercely outside Europe for profit and monopoly of trade routes.
Britain had already developed commerce with china, India and the Malay Archipelago.
The Dutch were the main European power in the Malay Archipelago.
They controlled large part of the region including Java and Melaka.

The Dutch restricted the British and other Europeans to trade only at Batavia in Java.
British trader was charged high fees for using the port and had to pay heavy taxes on goods which they sold or bought. Thus, the dutch became the biggest rival of the British in Southeast Asia.

In the early part of  the 19th century, Britain's trade with China had become very lucrative.
However, the two settlements for ships to replenish their stocks at Penang and Bencoolen were unsuitable.
The British sold opium to the chinese in return for tea.

Stamford Raffles was concerned about the Dutch spreading their monopoly.
He wrote to the Directors of the British East India Company.
This prompted the British to search for a new trading settlement south of Dutch Melaka.
He believed that Singapore was suitable as a port with its natural advantages such as an excellent harbour and a good supply of drinking water.