Preparations to defend against the Japanese

Once the Japanese expanded throughout the region after Pearl Harbour (December 1941), many in Britain felt that Singapore would become an obvious target for the Japanese. However, the British military command in Singapore was confident that the power they could call on there would make any Japanese attack useless. British troops stationed in Singapore were also told that the Japanese troops were poor fighters; alright against soldiers in China who were poor fighters themselves, but of little use against the might of the British Army. They had underestimated the Japanese. One of the British officers even said:

"I do hope we are not getting too strong in Malaya because if so the Japanese may never attempt a landing."

         
The Japanese were actually smarter and better trained than the British soldiers. The Japanese captured Malaya by 31 January 1942 prepared to invade Singapore. The British withdrew to Singapore and blew up the causeway. The Japanese bombed Changi abd Palau Ubin, causing the British to move their defences to the northeast of Singapore. The British were tricked and the Japanese headed to the northern-western part of Singapore. Then, they repaired the causeway, preparing for invasion. 
source:http://term3-ih-ace.wikispaces.com/Preparations+to+defend+against+the+Japanese