The Maria Hertogh Riots

1. The Maria Hertogh RiotsThe Maria Hertogh Riots
Maria Bertha Hertogh was Maria Bertha Hertogh was
born an Eurasian girl to born an Eurasian girl to
Dutch Roman Catholic 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 Her real parents found her
in 1949 and wanted her in 1949 and wanted her
back.back.
Maria Hertogh and Che Aminah
Binte Mohamed

2. Maria’s case was brought to Maria’s case was brought to
Singapore’s legal court.Singapore’s legal court.
In May 1950, the court ruled In May 1950, the court ruled
that Maria be returned to her that Maria be returned to her
natural parents.natural parents.
Che Aminah appealed against Che Aminah appealed against
the court order.the court order.
Her appeal was successful and Her appeal was successful and
she was returned to her foster she was returned to her foster
parents.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.

3. Her marriage was not recognised by the Br law Her marriage was not recognised by the Br law
as she was underage and her parents’ consent as she was underage and her parents’ consent
was not sought.was not sought.
She was returned to her real parents and placed She was returned to her real parents and placed
in a convent in Singapore.in a convent in Singapore.
Muslims were angered by the court’s decision as Muslims were angered by the court’s decision as
they felt Muslim laws were not respected.they felt Muslim laws were not respected.
Coverage by the newspapers further upset the Coverage by the newspapers further upset the
Muslims.Muslims.
The Muslims were angry that the Br seemed to The Muslims were angry that the Br seemed to
side the Dutch parents and were not sensitive to side the Dutch parents and were not sensitive to
the feelings of the Malay community.the feelings of the Malay community.

4. In Dec 1950, Che Aminah In Dec 1950, Che Aminah
appealed for Maria to be appealed for Maria to be
returned to her care but returned to her care but
was rejected.was rejected.
11 Dec crowd of Malays 11 Dec crowd of Malays
who were waiting for the who were waiting for the
verdict outside the Padang verdict outside the Padang
began to riot.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.

5. Effects of the Maria Hertogh RiotsEffects of the Maria Hertogh Riots
Public transport and Public transport and
business were business were
disrupted.disrupted.
About $21 000 worth About $21 000 worth
of property was of property was
damaged.damaged.
18 people were killed 18 people were killed
and 173 people were and 173 people were
reported injured.reported injured.

6. Lessons to be learntLessons to be learnt
Singapore is exposed to external influence Singapore is exposed to external influence
like Communism and it can cause great like Communism and it can cause great
disorder.disorder.
Chaos would upset people’s lives, disrupt Chaos would upset people’s lives, disrupt
businesses and cause sufferings.businesses and cause sufferings.
The religious and racial tensions teach us The religious and racial tensions teach us
the importance to understand and be the importance to understand and be
sensitive to the culture and customs of sensitive to the culture and customs of
other races.other races.