The Maria Hertogh RiotsThe Maria Hertogh Riots Maria Bertha Hertogh Maria Bertha Hertogh

was born an Eurasian girl was born an Eurasian girl to Dutch Roman Catholic to Dutch Roman Catholic parents in Java in 1937.parents in Java in 1937.

During the war years she During the war years she was left in the care of was left in the care of Muslim woman, Che Muslim woman, Che Aminah and her husband.Aminah and her husband.

Her real parents found Her real parents found her in 1949 and wanted her in 1949 and wanted her back.her back.

Maria Hertogh and Che Aminah Binte Mohamed

Maria’s case was brought Maria’s case was brought to Singapore’s legal court.to Singapore’s legal court.

In May 1950, the court In May 1950, the court ruled that Maria be ruled that Maria be returned to her natural returned to her natural parents.parents.

Che Aminah appealed Che Aminah appealed against the court order.against the court order.

Her appeal was successful Her appeal was successful and she was returned to and she was returned to her foster parents.her foster parents.

She got married to a Malay She got married to a Malay teacher at 13 years old in teacher at 13 years old in 1950. 1950.

Her marriage was not recognised by the Br Her marriage was not recognised by the Br law as she was underage and her parents’ law as she was underage and her parents’ consent was not sought.consent was not sought.

She was returned to her real parents and She was returned to her real parents and placed in a convent in Singapore.placed in a convent in Singapore.

Muslims were angered by the court’s Muslims were angered by the court’s decision as they felt Muslim laws were not decision as they felt Muslim laws were not respected.respected.

Coverage by the newspapers further upset Coverage by the newspapers further upset the Muslims.the Muslims.

The Muslims were angry that the Br The Muslims were angry that the Br seemed to side the Dutch parents and were seemed to side the Dutch parents and were not sensitive to the feelings of the Malay not sensitive to the feelings of the Malay community.community.

In Dec 1950, Che In Dec 1950, Che Aminah appealed for Aminah appealed for Maria to be returned to Maria to be returned to her care but was her care but was rejected.rejected.

11 Dec crowd of Malays 11 Dec crowd of Malays who were waiting for who were waiting for the verdict outside the the verdict outside the Padang began to riot.Padang began to riot.

Many Europeans were Many Europeans were attacked, vehicles were attacked, vehicles were burnt and looting was burnt and looting was reported.reported.

Effects of the Maria Hertogh Effects of the Maria Hertogh RiotsRiots

Public transport Public transport and business were and business were disrupted.disrupted.

About $21 000 About $21 000 worth of property worth of property was damaged.was damaged.

18 people were 18 people were killed and 173 killed and 173 people were people were reported injured.reported injured.

Lessons to be learntLessons to be learnt

Singapore is exposed to external Singapore is exposed to external influence like Communism and it can influence like Communism and it can cause great disorder.cause great disorder.

Chaos would upset people’s lives, Chaos would upset people’s lives, disrupt businesses and cause disrupt businesses and cause sufferings.sufferings.

The religious and racial tensions teach The religious and racial tensions teach us the importance to understand and us the importance to understand and be sensitive to the culture and be sensitive to the culture and customs of other races.customs of other races.