The island was known in Malay as Pulau Blakang Mati, which means "the island behind which lies death", but renamed Sentosa, meaning "peace and tranquility". Originally a fishing village, the island was a British military fortress until 1967 when it was handed back to the Singapore Government. In 1968 the Government decided to develop the island into a holiday resort for both local visitors and tourists. The Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) was established in September 1972 as a statutory board under the Ministry of Trade and Industry to develop, manage and promote the island.