Will I be directly refused a visa if I go to Singapore if I have a criminal record?

If your new passport does not involve previous records, there will be no problem. If the Singapore embassy or consulate notifies you to go for an interview, it must be because they have found your previous records. As long as you make up a good reason, you will be fine. Generally, visa refusal is usually due to having a criminal record in China, and most of them are fine.