Sentosa Development Corporation is formed

In 1969, P. H. Meadows, who was then the chairman of the Singapore Tourist Promotion Board (STPB), announced the decision to transform Pulau Blakang Mati (now known as Sentosa) into a “tropical island resort and a South Sea Island paradise”.^[1] There were initial suggestions for an oil refinery to be built on the island. The plan, however, was shelved when Albert Winsemius, then chief economic advisor to Singapore, and Alan F. G. Choe, then general manager of the Urban Renewal Department, proposed to develop the island into a tourism resort to complement Singapore’s economic strategy of promoting tourism as one of the four pillars of growth. The other three pillars were financial institutions, manufacturing industries and services.^[2]

Following the announcement by Meadows, the government approached American firm Dillingham Overseas Corporation to study the feasibility of the project.^[3] Completed in September 1970,  the study confirmed that the project was a viable one and would contribute substantially to an increase in the rate of growth of tourists visiting Singapore.^[4] The study also laid out a development plan for the island. Referred to as the Dillingham Master Plan, it proposed the construction of a number of attractions to transform the island into a tourist spot.^[5] The name of the island was also changed to reflect its new image as a tourist attraction. A nationwide contest was organised by the STPB to rename Pulau Blakang Mati and among the hundreds of entries, the name “Sentosa” (meaning “Isle of Tranquility” in Malay) was selected.^[6] The new name was gazetted on 14 September 1970.^[7]

On 7 March 1972, the Sentosa Development Corporation Bill was introduced in parliament by then Minister for Finance Hon Sui Sen.^[8] The bill received its second reading on 23 March and it was passed by parliament on the same day.^[9] The bill then became an act of parliament on 4 May the following month.^[10] Following the enactment of the Sentosa Development Corporation Act on 21 August 1972, the Sentosa Development Corporation was formed and commenced operation on 1 September 1972.^[11] Ngiam Tong Dow, who was then the permanent secretary at the finance ministry, was appointed as its first chairman.^[12]

References
1. A ‘paradise island’. (1969, January 23). The Straits Times, p. 4. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
2. 10 years that shaped a nation: An exhibition catalogue (p. 106). (2008). Singapore: National Archives of Singapore. Call no.: RSING 959.5705 TEN.
3. Sentosa Development Corporation (Singapore). (1973). Annual report 1972 (p. 3). Singapore: The Corporation. Call no.: RCLOS 354.5957092 SDCAR.
4. Singapore. Parliament. Parliamentary Debates: Official Report. (1972, March 23). Second Reading of the Sentosa Development Corporation Bill (Vol. 31, col. 1125). Singapore: Govt. Printer. Call no.: RCLOS 328.5957 SIN.
5. Sentosa Development Corporation (Singapore), 1973, p. 3.
6. 5 share cash award in Blakang Mati name contest. (1970, September 10). The Straits Times, p. 10. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
7. Republic of Singapore. Government Gazette. Extraordinary. (1970, September 14). (G.N. 2873, p. 3570). Singapore: [s.n.]. Call no.: RCLOS 959.57 SGG.
8. Singapore. Parliament. Parliamentary Debates: Official Report. (1972, March 7). First Reading of the Sentosa Development Corporation Bill (Vol. 31, col. 484). Singapore: Govt. Printer. Call no.: RCLOS 328.5957 SIN.
9. Singapore. Parliament. Parliamentary Debates: Official Report. (1972, March 23). Second Reading of the Sentosa Development Corporation Bill (Vol. 31, col. 1128). Singapore: Govt. Printer. Call no.: RCLOS 328.5957 SIN.
10. Republic of Singapore. Government Gazette. Acts Supplement. (1972, June 30). Sentosa Development Corporation Bill (Act 22 of 1972). Singapore: [s.n.]. Call no.: RCLOS 348.5957 SGGAS.
11. Republic of Singapore. Government Gazette. Subsidiary Legislation Supplement. (1972, August 25). The Sentosa Development Corporation Act (Commencement) Notification 1972 (S 257/1972, p. 575). Singapore: [s.n.]. Call no.: RCLOS 348.5957 SGGSLS.
12. Sentosa chief. (1972, December 25). The Straits Times, p. 7. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.