Assuming a point of departure no earlier than September 1940 (when Imperial Japan invaded French Indo-China) and events in Europe proceeding largely as in the original timeline, unless otherwise altered by a point of departure, is it possible for the British and allies to repel the Japanese onslaught in Malaya of December 1941, and to hold Malaya in 1942?
If so, what are the longer-term effects on the course of the war? Are the Japanese able to mount their original timeline campaign against Burma with Malaya still in Allied hands? Are campaigns in the Dutch East Indies significantly affected if the holding of Malaya keeps the Japanese out of Singapore? Is the Imperial Japanese Navy able to mount their Indian Ocean offensive of the original timeline? Would Malaya offer a potential springboard for any US attempt to relieve or liberate the Philippines?
If so, what are the longer-term effects on the course of the war? Are the Japanese able to mount their original timeline campaign against Burma with Malaya still in Allied hands? Are campaigns in the Dutch East Indies significantly affected if the holding of Malaya keeps the Japanese out of Singapore? Is the Imperial Japanese Navy able to mount their Indian Ocean offensive of the original timeline? Would Malaya offer a potential springboard for any US attempt to relieve or liberate the Philippines?