As the Japanese Occupation began, the people of Singapore had a choice on if they would collaborate with the Japanese. Would they sell out Allied spies, or the Allied cause in return for material benefits?
Indian National Army
After the fall of Singapore, about 20,000 Indian soldiers defected to the Japanese, and joined the Indian National Army (INA). This was not for any love for Japanese, but rather for the promise of a Free India. (Indian was a British colony at time)
Initially led by Mohan Singh, the Indian National Army was later led by Subhas Chandra Bose. Singapore was actually the headquarters for the INA. The Cathay building was declared as the main building for the Provisional Government of Free India.
Preferential treatment
Generally speaking, the Japanese treated the non-Chinese races better than the Chinese in Singapore. This was because the Imperial Japanese saw interactions with the Chinese as continuation of the continued war in China.
This is evident as Malay royalty (like Ibrahim of Johor and Ali Shah) who defected was given control of occupied areas of Malaya. Intellectuals like Ibrahim Yaacob and Abdul Samad Ismail were given control of the press as long as they continued to sprout anti-British sentiments. Lai Teck (of Vietnamese descent),the once leader of the Malayan Communist Party and Anti-Japanese Malayan Army, communicated strategic rebel information to the Japanese in return for power and wealth.
This definitely did not mean that the Chinese was immune to defection. Jack Ng sold information in return for extra rations and licence to operate a clinic. Chua Koon Eng, infamously revealed the existence of Force 136 (a British spy ring).
Syonanto Times, the propaganda newspaper of Occupied Singapore
Fear
During the Occupation, there was a general sentiment of fear in the atmosphere. Would your neighbour sell you out (whether true or false) as an Allied collaborated in exchange for power, wealth or more rations of rice? Can you trust your friends with your true opinions of the Imperial Japanese? Whose side would you be on?
For more information
Straits Times - shades of gray
Academia - Chinese collaborators
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