Nadra's images

Maria Hertogh's Past

• Born in Java 1937 to Dutch Catholic Parents.





• Her parents were imprisoned during the Japanese Occupation.





• She came under the care of a Malay women, Che Aminah and her husband.





• She was brought up as a Muslim and named her Nadra.

How and when the riots happen ?

In 1949 ,Maria's mother , Adenline Hertogh, came to claim her daughter back.

• The case was brought to the High Court in Singapore.







• Meanwhile,Maria was placed under the care of the Social Welfare Department.







• In May 1950 the Court ruled that Maria be returned to her natural parents.







• However, Che Aminah opposed the decision and sent an appeal.







• Two months later, the Court returned Maria Che Aminah.







• In November 1950,the battle for custody continued.The Court ruled that Maria should be returned to her natural parents.







• Che Aminah appealed again for the custody of Maria.On 11 December 1950,the Court sat to hear Maria's case.







• This cause large crowds gathered outside the Court at the Pandang to know the verdict.Once more,the judge rejected the appeal.







• Muslim felt betrayed as they saw British taking sides with the Dutch.







• In December 1950,the supporters of Aminah at the Padang started to riot.

The images during the riots

What happened after the riots

• Cars were overturned and burnt. Serious rioting continues for three days and a curfew was imposed for two weeks.





• Troops were called in to maintain law and order.





• By the third day, situation was under control.





• About 18 people were killed and 173 were injured during the riots.

Why did the riots happen?

• The court ruled that Maria should be returned to her natural parents.






• The judge announced that the Dutch law did not recongised Maria's marriage as she get announced was under-aged and her natural father's conscent was not obtained.






• This upset Muslim community as they felt that Muslim law was not respected.