When World War II broke out, Sergeant Hertogh was captured by the Japanese Army and was detained till 1945. Maria Hertogh stayed with her mother with 4 siblings that period of time. Three days after her mother's sixth child was borned, Maria went to lived with Aminah binte Mohammad, a 42-year-old Javanese woman. This transfer of custody, caused a Singaporean court case eight years later, led the tragic riots that were to come.Maria Hertogh was then given a name Nadra binte Ma'arof in the late 1943. In 1947, Aminah fled to Kemaman, fearing harm during the Indonesian National Revolution. Maria was no different from the Mulims there. She wore same clothes, spoke the same language, and practiced her religion like everyone of her age did.After the World War ended at 1945, Sergeant Hertogh reunited with his wife. They attempted to find Maria but could not find her. They requested for the authorities of Dutch in Java and Singapore to trace their child, and finally got news of Maria.The Dutch Consulate offered s$500 to make up for the expenses for bringing up Maria, wanting her to give Maria up, back to her real parents. Maria's foster parent applied to High Court on 22 April for Maria to be transfered of the custody to the Social Welfare Department. Upon hearing it, the Chief Justice approved the application on that day.The next day, Maria was sent for a medical examination at Middle Road Hospital then to Girls Homecraft Centre at York Hill. Maria had then made a stand that she wanted to stay with Aminah, not wanting to be back with her biological parents. On 17 May, the High Court ruled that the custody of Maria to be entitiled to the Hertoghs. Maria and her foster parent then had no choice but to part. However, the appeal filed on 28 July over ruled the verdict and was under the custody of the Social Welfare Department again.On 1st August 1950, Maria was married to Mansoor Adabi. Meanwhile, the Hertoghs had not given up legal pursuit to re-claim their daughter. The lawyers mailed a letter of demanding of the return of Maria by 10 August, failing which legal action would be taken. The hearing opened on 20 November for two issues, namely the validity of the marriage and the custody of Maria. The verdict was that, Maria's marriage was baseless and the custody of Maria belonged to the Hertoghs.Maria had to part with her foster mother again. She was then led to stay in the Roman Catholic Convent of the Good Shepherd in Thomson Road. Such arrangement was more convienience while the execution pending appeal was in effect, but instead it was the spark that lit the fuse of the subsequent riots.The Singapore Standard published photos of Maria surrounded by the symbol of Christian faith which incites the anger of the Muslims. To avoid that, the CID(Criminal Investigation Department) suggests moving Maria back to York Hill but failed.The appeal hearing started on 11 December. In 5 minutes time, the court was in disorder and riots broke out as they were convinced that the colonial legal system was biased against the Muslims.What happened during the Maria Hertogh Riot. The Malays (and some Chinese gangs) moved out to attack the Europeans and Eurasians in their sight. They overturned and burnt cars. The lower ranks of police force sympathize the protesters and were ineffective in quelling the riots. Reinforcements were called in only at a later time. Consequences of the Maria Hertogh Riot. 18 people were killed, 173 were injured, 119 vehicles were damaged, at least two buildings were set on fire. 778 were detained. 509 were released and 200 were charged for rioting. A 24-hours curfew was also imposed for subsequently two weeks. Lessons learned from the Riot. I have learnt that religious and race issues are sensitive and one should not make a joke out of it and should respect it at all times. It can cause injuries and even deaths when a religious group is not happy with another.Why people react sensitively to religious issues.Different religions have different practices. A practice that is common in a religion, might not be accepted in another. A same situation, to one, might not be a big deal. But to another, it is the whole world. That is why we must be sensitive to religious issuess and not cross over the line.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Racial Riots Of 1964
On the 21st of July 1964, approximately 25,000 Malays celebrated Muslim prophet Muhammad's birthday at Padang and then went on to Geylang. A group was asked to rejoin the main procession by a policeman but instead, they attacked the policeman which led to the Race Riot between Malays and Chinese.Causes of the Racial Riot of 1964.There were many different reasons for the riots caused.- The Malaysia Deputy Prime Minister blamed ethnic Indonesian and Communist provokers.- Singapore Prime Minister and several foreign observers said that it was caused by the agitation of the UMNO (United Malays National Organisation).What happened during the Race Riot.A group of people attacked the policeman led the Racial Riot between the Malays and Chinese. The government then declared a curfew at 9.30pm. The conflict continues as the curfew was lifted and another curfew was imposed. The curfew was finally lifted on the 2nd of August 1964. Goodwill committees were set up. It was made up of community leaders from the various racial groups to maintain peace between different races.Consequences of the Race Riot.The riot took away 36 lives, left with 556 people injured and over 3,000 arrested by the police.Lessons learned from the Riot. I have learnt that for different races to live together in a country is not easy. Our forefathers risked their lives for us today, so we must cherish this peace between one religion and another and not to take it for granted.Why people react sensitively to racial issues.Racial issues are sensitive as people of one race thinks/feels that the people from the other race do not belong to them and are not one of them, thus not wanting to mix around with them.
Information taken from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1964_Race_Riots
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