Well-placed at the entrance to the Straits of Malacca, straddling the trade routes between China, India, Europe and Australia, Raffles' masterstroke was to declare Singapore a free port, with no duties charged on trade.
Si fiican loogu meeleeyay irridda loo yaqaan 'Straits of Malacca', oo kala daadinaya jidadka ganacsiga ee u dhexeeya Shiinaha, Hindiya, Yurub, iyo Australia, Raffles 'master stroke wuxuu ahaa inuu ku dhawaaqo Singapore a dekedda maraakiibta bilaash ah, iyadoo aan wax canshuur ah laga qaadin ganacsiga.