The surprising history of Sentosa, Singapore’s staycation island

By Lilit Marcus, CNN

It used to be known as Pulau Blakang Mati. Some translate the name politely as “the island of woe,” but the most cited translation is “the island behind which lies death.”

Now, it’s called Sentosa, from the Malay word for “peace and tranquility.” Filled with theme parks, beaches, luxury resorts and other amusements, it’s Singapore’s primary island for staycations and is one of the city’s most popular destinations for international tourists.

But how did it all begin?

Fifty years ago this September, the nascent country of Singapore formed the Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC), which — as its name indicates — was designed to transform a then rural, mostly uninhabited island into an urban playground.

A Malay island

The 500-hectare island is shaped like the large end of a smoking pipe, curving around the southern side of what is now Singapore. Its shape and position made it a perfect spot for traders traveling to and from Malaysia — and a regular hideout for the pirates who raided these ships.

There were four primary kampongs (villages). Residents of the island were a mix of Chinese, Malay and Bugis (from Indonesia’s Sulawesi island).

Then, in 1819, Sir Stamford Raffles arrived in what would become the Lion City.

The British statesman left an indelible stamp not only on Singapore but on much of East Asia, which he explored and wrote about during his diplomatic posts there.

During the second half of the 19th century, the British began building fortifications around Singapore. On Sentosa, there were five of these — Fort Serapong (near the center of the island), Fort Connaught, Berhala Reping, the Imbiah Battery and Fort Siloso (on the far northwest tip).

While Singapore was controlled by the British, soldiers lived on Pulau Blakang Mati. Malay, Chinese and Indian laborers did laundry, steered sampan boats and cleared land for the White military members.

Although Sentosa’s moniker was changed in 1970, history buffs will still recognize the names of many of the places dotted around the island. Fort Siloso — noa a National Monument — is still there, but a beach, elevated walkway through the jungle and a tram station all bear the Siloso name too.

The onetime Imbiah Battery is now a lookout spot for hikers, while the abandoned buildings of Fort Serapong are popular for fans of urban exploration and “ruin porn.”

Meanwhile, the elegant The Barracks Hotel Sentosa was, as its name indicates, once the home to British artillerymen. While the accommodations are significantly more comfy these days, guests can still sun themselves on the former parade grounds.

A Singaporean island

Much of Sentosa’s history parallels the history of the country of Singapore.

In 1965, Singapore officially declared independence from Malaysia and began to figure out what kind of a nation it wanted to be.

As commerce and industry grew on Singapore, Sentosa remained mostly rural and uninhabited. Most of the residents trickled away in the 1970s and resettled on Singapore.

Changes came quickly and dramatically. In the 1970s, visitors to the island could take a cable car, but within a decade there was also an above-ground tram that made it easy to get from place to place. Then, in 1992, the Sentosa Causeway, linking the two islands, was unveiled.

Tourist attractions came and went as popular trends changed.

Underwater World, at the time the largest oceanarium in Asia, was due to open in 1989 but didn’t open until 1991. Visitor numbers fluctuated over the years, and Underwater World eventually closed in 2016.

Another relic of the past was The Asian Village. This attraction was similar to Disney World’s Epcot, with different “villages” representing Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines and other Asian countries, plus some rides. It shut down in 2000.

The Apollo Hotel was the first tourist accommodation on the island. It opened in 1978 and closed in 1986.

Meanwhile, the first beach resort on the island was Shangri-La’s Rasa Sentosa Resort, which welcomed its inaugural guests in 1993. It took a decade, but eventually other big luxury brands catering to international vacationers followed — the Capella Singapore in 2009, the W Singapore — Sentosa Cove in 2012 and Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort & Spa in 2015.

Still, not every attraction had staying power. Sentosa’s Merlion, a sibling to the famous one across the water in Singapore, no longer holds court.

“As tourism goes on, expectations are higher (and we have to) make way for something new,” Christopher Khoo, managing director of international tourism consultancy MasterCounsult, told Channel News Asia. “The renewal process means giving way.”

These days, he says, tourists are more interested in experiences than in landmarks.

The city’s constant heat and humidity have also created a market for nighttime activities. Digital creations and light shows are on the list of possible additions.

So much of what exists on Sentosa is new and shiny that it’s understandable why the common “it was a manmade island” misconception keeps going around.

Land reclamation may be the source of the confusion. Pulau Blakang Mati was about 280 hectares in size, and since 1972 Sentosa has grown to about 500 hectares.

Despite all the bustle, it’s possible to find that peacefulness that Sentosa’s name promises, especially when staying at one of the island’s hotels. The Capella Singapore is surrounded by greenery and is a popular spot for sunset cocktails.

Though the military days are long gone, Sentosa made a surprising reappearance on the world’s political radar in 2018 when then-U.S. president Donald Trump met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at the Capella, where a small plaque records the property’s place in history.

One major change was bringing back full-time residents to the island. However, the modern residents of Sentosa bear almost zero resemblance to the communities who lived on Pulau Blakang Mati.

Sentosa Cove, on the island’s eastern coast, is the only gated luxury community in Singapore. In a place where many people live in cramped quarters, this quickly became some of the most sought-after real estate in the country.

These days, homes in Sentosa Cove can sell for as much as $23 million Singaporean ($16 million USD). Most of them have swimming pools, rooftop gardens, multi-car garages and other upscale luxuries.

What comes next

Singapore, always on the lookout for new development opportunities, is already thinking beyond Sentosa.

The new Sentosa is likely to be Palau Brani, a trapezoidal land mass and former Navy base between Singapore and Sentosa. These days, most visitors simply notice Brani out of the corner of their eye as they drive from one island to the other, but the ambitious Sentosa-Brani Master Plan will develop both islands into one large tourism offering.

Like nearly every other big infrastructure project on the planet, this one was held up by the coronavirus pandemic but has restarted as Singapore has dropped restrictions and adopted a “living with the virus” strategy.

The plan sees the two islands divided into five sections — waterfront, island heart, beachfront, vibrant cluster (think thrill attractions, event space, and the like) and ridgefront.

Aside from new attractions, the Sentosa-Brani Master Plan will also expand nature and heritage trails and give beaches a makeover.

The first major initiative, a two-tiered “sensory walkway” through Sentosa that connects the northern and southern parts of the island, is due to open next year.

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