Sentosa Island was originally a small fishing village named Mati Island, which means "an island with death lurking" in Malay. During World War II, it was a British military fortress with fortifications such as Fort Siroso. The British army deployed defensive artillery here, pointing to the south, ready to resist the Japanese attack from the sea. However, the Japanese army finally attacked and occupied Singapore from the north, using the same tactics as when it invaded Malaya (now West Malaysia or Malaysia Peninsula).
1967, Britain returned the island to the newly established Singapore government. A year later, the Singapore government decided to develop the island into a domestic holiday tourist attraction. In this way, according to public suggestions, the island was renamed Sentosa, which means "tranquility" in Malay.