Complex sentence: The founder of modern Singapore, Sir Stamford Raffles, intended Singapore to become a "great commercial emporium", and to this end, he gave instructions in 1822 that a commercial area be created on the southwest side of the Singapore River.
Split into simpler sentences: The founder of modern Singapore, Sir Stamford Raffles, intended Singapore to become a "great commercial emporium". As part of his plan, he gave instructions in 1822 that a commercial area be created on the southwest side of the Singapore River.