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Read this article to find out why Maria was the only child separated from her Dutch parents. 

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Read this article to find out why Maria was the only child separated from her Dutch parents. 

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*Singapore History is a series where we delve into the lives of prominent names in Singapore's history, and find out what happened to them after leaving footsteps in our historical past.

Maria Hertogh was more than just a name in our history textbooks

More than 55 years after the riots that erupted on 11 December 1950, Maria Hertogh's name is still brought up when issues involving race and religion arise. However, there is a lot more to her story than just the legal tussle which resulted in the racial riots. We delve into her storied past, and what happened to her after the racial riots.

The backstory

Born Maria Huberdina Hertogh in 1937 to a Dutch Catholic family, she was known as Bertha (or Berta) Hertogh to the Dutch, although later court proceedings and the English Press used the name Maria Hertogh more frequently. Shortly after her birth, Maria was baptised by a Catholic priest. Her father, Adrianus Hertogh, was a sergeant in the Dutch Army, while her mother, Adeline Hunter, was a Eurasian of Scottish-Javanese descent raised in Java.

During the Second World War, the Imperial Japanese Army captured Maria's father, and he was detained until 1945. In the meantime, Adeline brought her five children to stay with her mother, Nor Louise. In 1942, Adeline gave birth to a boy, her sixth child. Maria was the third of her children, and also the youngest daughter. Three days after the birth of the baby boy, Maria went to stay with her grandmother's close friend, a 42-year-old Malay woman from Malaya, Aminah binte Mohammad.

Trouble brews

Maria never returned, until 1950.

Adeline's account was that she consented Maria to stay with Aminah in Bandung for only three or four days. Five days later, Maria was not returned, so Adeline set out on a borrowed bicycle to get her daughter home. She claimed that a Japanese sentry on Bandung's outskirts arrested her since she did not have a pass and was sent to an internment camp.

While she was interned, Adeline smuggled a letter to her mother, asking for her children to be sent to her. Nor Louise did so, but Maria was still with Aminah, so Adeline requested for her mother to retrieve Maria. Nor Louise wrote that Aminah wanted Maria to stay for another two days, and would bring Maria to the camp herself after. Aminah's promise fell through and Adeline did not get to see Maria throughout her internment. After Adeline was released, neither Maria nor Aminah could be found.

On the other hand, Aminah claimed that Adeline offered her a child to adopt since Aminah did not have any children, and that she would answer to Adrianus for having given a child away. She also said that Adeline did not ask for her child back during the three years Maria stayed with Aminah.

Maria's new family

Aminah gave Maria a Muslim name, Nadra (or Natrah) binte Ma'arof, and raised her as a Malay Muslim. Aminah and her family relocated to Jakarta before their return to Bandung. Aminah's fluency in Japanese allowed her to work as an interpreter for the Japanese military police until the war ended. In 1947, the Indonesian National Revolution broke out. Aminah and her family moved to her hometown in Terengganu, Malaya for fear that harm would befall her family since Maria was a putih (White Child). By then, Maria was no different as any other Malay Muslim girl - she wore Malay clothes, spoke only Malay, and practised Islam devoutly.

The search for their lost daughter

After the war ended in 1945, Adrianus was released and reunited with Adeline. They began looking for their lost daughter, lodging a request with Dutch officials. Eventually, Maria and Aminah were traced in Kemaman. Needless to say, a fierce custody battle ensued, and drew international attention as the press sensationalised the case. After initial court ruling granted custody to the Hertoghs, Maria and Aminah both shouted in Malay that they would rather kill themselves than be separated. They would eventually part in tears when Aminah's lawyer explained that Maria had to be surrendered until an appeal was filed.

However, the Appellate Court (appeals court) later found ambiguity in the representation of Maria's birth father and the initial verdict was overruled, to Aminah and Maria's joy. Estranged from her birth parents and resenting them for giving her away, Maria wished to stay with Aminah.

The first marriage

Four days later, Maria married a 22-year-old teacher, Mansoor Adabi in a Muslim ritual. According to Mansoor, it was "love at first sight". It was speculated that the marriage was a move by Aminah to stop the Hertoghs from fighting for Maria's custody, since Maria returned to stay with Aminah after the wedding night and the couple did not consummate their marriage.

The marriage did not deter Adeline from fighting for her daughter, even though Maria was a willing party. Maria said:

I will not go to any country outside Malaya. It is no use Mr Hertogh trying to separate me from my husband.

I am a Muslim, I have made my choice and I will stay with my husband now until we die.

The legality of the marriage and custody of Maria was raised in court. At the time, Maria was 13, and considered underage in accordance to Dutch laws, where the minimum age for marriage was 16. Thus, the marriage was overruled, with Justice Brown of the Singapore High Court declaring it illegal "on the grounds that under her personal law, [which was]Dutch law, Maria was not [of]an age to contract a marriage". The Muslim community was upset by this ruling, and perceived it "as being directed against the Islamic law of marriage".

Sensationalism of the press

While waiting to leave Singapore for her home country, Maria was put up at a convent. This arrangement proved to be a bad move, with its subsequent course of events being the spark to the racial riots. The convent grounds did not bar the press from entering, and the media took and published photos to sensationalise the case. Photos of Maria surrounded by signs of Christian faith, such as photographs of her holding hands with Reverend Mother, or her kneeling before the Statue of the Virgin Mary were published, which offended the Muslim community. To add fuel to the fire, some publications even explicitly described the case as a religious issue between Christianity and Islam.

The riots

On 11 December 1950, a small crowd carrying banners and flags with a crescent and a star had gathered around the Supreme Court before the hearing of Aminah's appeal.The crowd grew to 2,000 to 3,000 people by noon, when the hearing began. Within five minutes, the court dismissed Aminah's appeal. The Muslims believed that the colonial legal system was unfair to the Muslims, resulting in the racial riots.

Eurasians and Europeans were dragged out of buses and cars and beaten up, with some even killed. Cars were overturned and burnt. The rioters attempted twice to march to the convent Maria was in, but failed. Authorities relocated Maria and her mother to St John's Island. The riots went on for three days, with an imposed curfew for two weeks. Reinforcements were called in on 12 December, but the situation only returned to normal on 13 December, leaving 173 injured, 18 killed, 119 vehicles damaged and at least two buildings set on fire.

Return to Netherlands

During the upheaval, Maria and Adeline departed for the Netherlands via KLM airlines on 12 December, to the Hertogh's home in Bergen op Zoom's outskirts. The KLM plane landed two hours later than expected. A tired Maria trailed sadly behind her mother as they got off the plane. The truth hit her as the cold, merciless December wind blew towards her - she was cruelly parted with her foster mother, the mother who was closer to her than her real mother was.

With tears welling up in her eyes, she heard several voices calling her name, some shouting "Bertha", others "Nadra". These people were from the Bertha Hertogh Committee, a committee set up to provide the best legal representation and funds for expenses incurred by the Hertoghs. Banners with words "Welcome Nadra" and "Welcome Back Bertha" greeted her - she symbolised victory, power, joy and success for the nation that suffered a defeat in the war. Maria only felt that these people were revelling in her pain.

She voiced out her thoughts about that fateful day:

My father greeted both of us. I saw many photographers, reporters and other people at the airport. However I didn't care about all that at all. I was too preoccupied with what I was going through. We were brought to the press conference room. I was too angry and upset. I didn't speak to anybody. Not long after that, we were taken by car to where my mother lived, led by police outriders in front and several cars behind. At that time, I felt like a hero coming back from the war...

Che Aminah and Mansoor

An Utusan Melayu journalist asked Che Aminah about her thoughts of Maria being taken away.

If other people are upset about this, then I am upset a thousand times more, but this cannot be seen by the eyes just like you cannot see the number of lentils there are in a pound.

She also said that she did not get to meet Maria after she was taken to the convent.

Not even for a moment until Natrah was flown off to the Netherlands, but I am confident that Natrah will firmly keep to her faith, I am confident she will not forget me just as I won't ever forget her.

When the same journalist went to visit Mansoor at his house, he was not in. Nevertheless, the reporter found his desk filled with Maria's photos, along with a poem.

A new identity

Relocating to a foreign land meant Maria had to learn to adapt. Besides her mother who understood Malay, there was no one else in the family she could communicate with. The name she had grown so used to, Nadra, was changed back to Bertha. She would no longer be clad in a baju kurung, but wear thick layers to keep warm instead. A new diet of potatoes, meat, and milk would replace her usual diet of rice, deep-fried fish, and sambal belacan. However, she still demanded rice with every meal. Her Muslim identity, Nadra, lingered as she continued praying five times a day, swamping her helpless mother with enquiries about where the Qiblah and mosque were.

Nonetheless, she obeyed Adeline's wishes and picked up Dutch from a nun who came to her house daily, until she was proficient enough to attend a convent school. Whenever Maria left the house, she was escorted by policemen in plain clothes, out of fear that kidnappers would take her back to Singapore.

An interview with Netherland's daily De Telegraaf nine years later revealed that Maria felt like a prisoner physically and mentally. However, Maria slowly adjusted to life there, attending Sunday masses with her family. She also gradually learnt to communicate with her family and shared a room with her two older sisters. In school, she did well at the primary stage and went on to another school to learn professional dressmaking.

Threats to the Hertoghs

The Hertoghs received threats and death threats.

The second marriage

In December 1955, Maria announced her engagement to a 21-year-old Dutch Catholic, Johan Gerardus (Joep) Wolkenfeld, who was doing his military service. They met during a party for new call-up men. In her engagement party, Maria and Johan exchanged rings in the presence of her parents, siblings, and Johan's mother. The couple later attained a special consent from the magistrate to get married, bypassing her parents who felt that she was too young to get married. On 20 April 1956, the pair got married by a Catholic priest, with Maria's eldest brother being the only member of the Hertogh family present. On 15 February 1957, Maria gave birth to her first son. She had more children over the next fifteen years - thirteen in total, with three not surviving their infancy, leaving four girls and six boys.

No happily ever after

Maria told De Telegraaf that she "often had rows" with her mother, who lived nearby. The papers also said that she yearned for her Malayan homeland. Maria's first and second husbands, Mansoor and Johan, started to correspond, both wishing for Maria to travel to Malaya to call on the aged Aminah. The trip never materialised due to financial difficulties, and Aminah passed on in 1976.

The year before, a television programme titled "The Time Just Stood Still" was produced, a retelling of Maria's story. It showed flashbacks of her life through old newsreels, with comparisons to her life in Holland with another husband and children. It was partly filmed in Singapore, with interviews with Mansoor, who avoided mentioning the past although the fond memories were still vivid in his mind. It also depicted a happy Mansoor, in a well-off family with his wife. The documentary affected Maria adversely, who compared her miserable life with Mansoor's. A 38-year-old Maria also appeared in the programme but did not say much.

The murder plot

The production had lasting effects on Maria. On 16 August 1976, Maria was put on trial in a Dutch court for allegedly plotting to murder her husband. During the trial, she confessed that she started to have thoughts about killing her husband after the television programme. She said:

She wanted to leave him, but was afraid that divorce proceedings will lead to her losing custody of her children. While working at her husband's cafe-cum-bar, she came into contact with two regular customers. They began plotting the murder, eventually buying a revolver and recruiting a fourth accomplice to execute the murder. However, the police got wind of the murder as the last accomplice chickened out and gossiped about the plan. All four of them were arrested. In her defence, Maria's lawyer emphasized on her background, which the court acknowledged. Maria was acquitted after a one-day hearing, since the plot was never carried out and there was no evidence that she had offered any inducements to the other three.

Later that year, a Malaysian newspaper reported that Maria suffered from a mental breakdown, which her children denied.

The third marriage

In 1979, Maria married a regular patron at the cafe, Tom Ballermans, one of the conspirators Maria worked with to plot her husband's murder. Four years later, the couple filed for a divorce.

Returning home

Maria later moved to Nevada to start anew with an Indonesian who became an American citizen, Ben Pichel. She took up residence in Nevada, leaving her children behind in Holland. She took on jobs as a cook, then a hotel maid, and as a cleaner. It was said that Maria missed her children, who were far away from her. Maria and Ben visited Kemaman subsequently, paying a visit to her elder adoptive sister, Kamariah, a Japanese girl Che Aminah adopted earlier. The visit was highly emotional - it was their first after a long separation of 48 years, but also the last, for Kamariah later died of leukaemia.

Epilogue

Around 2001 to 2003, Maria left Ben. She settled down into a house in Huibergen, near Bergen op Zoom, near the homes of two of her daughters. On 8 July 2009, 72-year-old Maria passed away in her house due to leukaemia (the same illness that took the life of Kamariah), with her 10 children surrounding her. Maria's will stated that instead of a burial, she wanted her body to be left for medical research, with the belief that her body could be used to help others with leukaemia.

Here's a video of Maria Hertogh, filmed two months before her death in July 2009.

Maria Hertogh's tragic life

Unwillingly embroiled into a legal tussle that affected not just the lives of two families, Maria Hertogh was put in the limelight and faced tremendous pressure from the media. In the process, many innocent lives were sacrificed in the riots. In Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia, she will no doubt always be part of the social memories of the Malays.

History lessons aside, Maria said that her happiest times were her childhood with Che Aminah. She married the love of her life, Mansoor, a person whom she never forgot. Her heart was broken when she was cruelly whisked off to the Netherlands, and was never mended till her death. After returning to the Netherlands, she pursued happiness relentlessly, but her efforts were futile. Up till her death, was she ever happy?

What if, in an alternate universe, Maria was allowed to stay with Aminah instead of being coerced to return to her birth parents? Could this whole tragedy have been averted?
Like this post and our Facebook page to keep up with more of our interesting news! Talk to us! Send in your story suggestions or comments to
Featured image via Youtube
With reference to Singapore Infopedia, Our Story, A Crowd of Twisted Things, Singapore Infopedia, Colonialism, Violence and Muslims in Southeast Asia: The Maria Hertogh Controversy and its aftermath, Natrah: In the Name of Love, Tangled Worlds: The Story of Maria Hertogh, Singapore and the Many Headed Monster, Wikipedia

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Maria Hertogh And What Happened To Her After The Riots - Singapore History - Must Share News

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Singapore History is a series where we delve into the lives of prominent names in Singapore's history, and find out what happened to them after leaving footsteps in our historical past. More than 55 years after the riots that erupted on 11 December 1950, Maria Hertogh's name is still brought up when issues involving race and religion arise.

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What was life like as a young malay men during the Maria Hertogh Riots (Narrative Account)

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What was life like as a young malay men during the Maria Hertogh Riots (Narrative Account)

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The year is 1950.

You are a young Malay man, currently standing outside the Tanjong Pagar Railway station in Singapore, waiting to receive relatives from Trengganu. Two days ago, you received news that a distant aunt Aminah Binte Mohamed and her 13-year-old daughter Nadra are coming down to Singapore urgently to settle some "family issues".

You have not seen Nadra since your last trip to Trengganu but you have a very distinct memory of her Eurasian features and halting Malay. That's because Nadra was adopted by Cik Aminah, your mother told you.

You learnt that Nadra, originally Maria 'Bertha' Hertogh, was born to Dutch-Eurasian parents in Java. After her father was taken as a prisoner of war during the Japanese occupation, Nadra's biological mother gave her up to Cik Aminah. Both Cik Aminah and Nadra moved to Kemaman, Trengganu after the war and never heard from the Hertoghs again.

Cik Aminah and Nadra arrived promptly on the seven o'clock train. You notice their tear-stained faces and wonder what is wrong. Nevertheless, you salaam Cik Aminah dutifully before bringing her and Nadra over to your place.

Once settled in at your home, Cik Aminah started to tell her story. It turns out that after the war ended, the Hertogh family enlisted the help of Dutch officials to help look for Nadra. They searched all over the region and finally found her in Kemaman. Now the Dutch have demanded that Cik Aminah bring Nadra to Singapore where she will be taken back to her biological parents.

"What am I going to do?" Cik Aminah weeps uncontrollably while Nadra hugs her tightly.

Round One: The court ruled in favour of the Dutch

The following week, on 17 May 1950, Cik Aminah and Nadra appear in court.

There was a palpable tension in the air. You glance over at the mother and daughter pair huddled together, and whisper a little prayer for them. Unfortunately, the court ruled in favour of the Dutch. Nadra has to return to the Hertoghs.

Cik Aminah is devastated but she is determined to appeal against the court's decision. In the meantime, while waiting for the appeal to be heard, the court orders Nadra to be sent to the Social Welfare quarters at York Hill for safekeeping.

During your calls with Nadra, you learn that a 22-year-old English tutor has been assigned to her at York Hill. His name is Inche Mansoor Adabi and Nadra seems to be enjoying her lessons with him a lot. It has been awhile since you heard laughter in her voice.

Round 2: The court overturns the earlier ruling

Two months later, on 28 July 1950, the court hears Cik Aminah's appeal and overturns the earlier decision. Nadra is now reunited with Cik Aminah. The family and Malay community celebrates with a belated Hari Raya feast at the home of the President of the Muslim Welfare Association.

The atmosphere was electrifying as guests after guests from the community came by and celebrated with Cik Aminah and Nadra. There was abundant music and food -- such a stark difference from her two months at York Hill.

Marriage

Shortly after Cik Aminah's successful appeal, Nadra announces that she is getting married to her English tutor, Mansoor Adabi. Cik Aminah is overjoyed that she has found a respectable husband.

Privately, you wonder if it is a wise decision to let a 13-year-old girl get married to a 22-year old man. While it is permissible under Muslim laws, some in the Malay community raise concerns about the marriage.

The marriage takes place on August 1, 1950. It is a grand affair since amidst the ongoing court proceedings, Nadra is becoming something of a national celebrity. Reporters from the newspapers are rushing to snap pictures of the newlyweds while loud music entertains guests who came from all over Malaya. Little did everyone know that soon the tides would turn.

The beginning of the end

It is now the morning of November 15, 1950. The custody fight for Nadra has been renewed for about a month now. Nadra's biological mother, Adeline Hertogh, comes over for a visit, to convince Nadra to stop the fighting and go home with her.

The tense atmosphere in the living room is punctuated by Nadra's insistent 'No's to Mrs Hertogh's pleadings. Hidden away in the corner of the house, you catch snatches of their exchanges* in Malay:

Mrs Hertogh: "Whatever may be the difficulties, I will stay here and overcome them until I can take you back to your father and brothers and sisters in Holland."

Nadra: "If my parents love me, they should leave me where I am. Besides I cannot love you, because when I was a child you gave me away."

The final verdict

Fast forward to two weeks later, December 2, 1950. The court rules in Adeline Hertogh's favour - that the marriage between Nadra and Mansoor Adabi is not legal, and Nadra is to be given back to the Dutch. Cik Aminah applies for a stay of execution to be heard on December 11, 1950.

Before leaving the court, you spot Cik Aminah and Nadra clutching at each other, crying loudly and refusing to leave. Your heart breaks for them. Nadra is then transported to the Convent of the Good Shepherd and placed under the care of Catholic nuns.

The girl with two faces

The newspapers sensationalise the situation.

The Singapore Standard publishes the headlines "Bertha knelt before Virgin Mary Statue" while Melayu Raya publishes a picture of Nadra caught between a mosque and a church. The Utusan Melayu runs pictures of a miserable Nadra with the headline "I am very miserable - forced to wear a gown" while The Straits Times publishes photos of a smiling and happy Nadra posing with Catholic nuns. Which is the real her?

You notice that many members of the Muslim community also feel that by nullifying Nadra's marriage to Mansoor Adabi and separating the couple, the court was not respecting the religious laws that Muslims abide by.

The tension snaps

By December 11, 1950, crowds of demonstrators gather outside the Supreme Court to demand the release of Nadra back to Cik Aminah. The situation quickly deteriorates into a bloodbath. As you scramble to run out of the way, you hear Eurasians and Europeans alike being stoned and beaten by the angry mobs.

From December 11, 1950 to 13 December 13, 1950, 18 people died, 173 people were injured, and damages to property amounted to more than 20,000 Straits Dollars.

Nadra was relocated to St John's island during the riots, and subsequently taken back to the Netherlands. You never saw her again, just the carnage left behind in her wake.

A cautionary tale

In retrospect, there are many lessons to learn from Nadra's story, but perhaps most of all, it serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of religious disharmony, particularly in a religiously diverse place like Singapore.

Mutual understanding and accommodation of different religious beliefs can only happen when we educate ourselves and appreciate the intricacies of different religions. This is the goal of the Harmony in Diversity Gallery (HDG).

Harmony in Diversity Gallery (HDG)

Set up by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in collaboration with community partners such as the Inter Religious Organisation, the HDG was opened on August 2 2016 as a key feature of the SGSecure movement.

It consists of four thematic galleries which aim to present a cohesive and broad understanding of the different religions here and how we can exercise mutual understanding when differences in beliefs create friction.

Visitors will witness unique religious artefacts from various religions in Singapore, as well as the commonalities in religious expression such as prayer, meditation, and fasting.

While understanding different religions is important, the real test comes when friction from conflicting values creep up in our daily interactions with each other. At the HDG, visitors can explore an interactive exhibit which demonstrates how our decisions can either build bridges that connect or walls that divide.

The HDG is located at the Ministry of National Development Building, Annexe B. Open from Mondays to Saturdays (except Public Holidays) from 10am to 5pm, admission is free. Visit here for more information.

Nadra's story is available at the following links:

-Infopedia entry on Maria Hertogh.

-Infopedia entry on the Maria Hertogh riots.

-NewspaperSG for archived newspapers

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Relive the key moments of the Maria Hertogh riots as a young Malay man

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The year is 1950. You are a young Malay man, currently standing outside the Tanjong Pagar Railway station in Singapore, waiting to receive relatives from Trengganu. Two days ago, you received news that a distant aunt Aminah Binte Mohamed and her 13-year-old daughter Nadra are coming down to Singapore urgently to settle some "family issues".

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Account by a family member of Maria Hertogh
http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/i-always-cry-when-i-think-of-her

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MARIA HERTOGH'S NIECE Rokayah Yusof, 68, still gets emotional when she recalls how her "Auntie Nadra's" life was turned upside down when she was separated from her family in Malaya and returned to The Netherlands.

Maria was five years old when she was adopted by a Malay woman, Che Aminah, during World War II. She was brought up as a Muslim in Terengganu and had a Malay name: Nadra Ma'arof.

Trouble began when her biological parents tried to claim her back after the Japanese surrendered. The resulting legal battle lasted for more than half a year, and when Maria was returned to her Dutch parents at age 13, riots broke out in Singapore. The three days of violence left 18 people dead.

"I always cry when I think of her," Madam Yusof, a retired English teacher who lives in Kemaman kampung in Terengganu, told The Straits Times in a telephone interview.

"My mother had a good life, she was very lucky. Eight children who were close to her and my father to take care of her. But not Auntie Nadra."

After so many decades away, Maria still spoke Malay well, her niece Rokayah Yusof recalled. "I spoke to her in English, but she kept answering in Malay, so we ended up conversing in Malay and even used Indonesian slang."

Her late mother Kamariah was 10 years older than Maria. A Japanese, she had been adopted in Tokyo by Che Aminah when she lived there with her lecturer husband.

Madam Yusof said her last meeting with Maria was on the eve of Hari Raya in 1998, when Maria made a surprise visit from Holland, accompanied by Dutch journalists.

"There were so many of us at my mother's house, we had all come back home for Hari Raya. My mother finally met her after 48 years of separation," she said.

"We all hugged and cried. We had so much to catch up on that night.

"My mother gave Nadra a baju kurung (traditional Malay outfit) to wear for Hari Raya and, because it was the festive season, we had prepared a lot of traditional Malay snacks that Nadra said she had missed."

Madam Yusof recalled that after so many decades away, Maria still spoke Malay well.

"I spoke to her in English, but she kept answering in Malay, so we ended up conversing in Malay and even used Indonesian slang."

The unexpected visit lasted two nights and Maria took time to visit the grave of Che Aminah, who died in 1976.

Madam Yusof said her conversation with Maria revealed that Maria was unhappy for most of her life in Holland.

It was a far cry from the kampung life she had enjoyed, with Che Aminah doting on her. She had received several death and abduction threats and was under police protection.

"She told me the police would follow her to school and she couldn't speak freely," said Madam Yusof.

After her visit, Maria kept in close contact with the family of Madam Yusof, who wrote letters to her regularly and called her every month.

Maria died in 2009, but her children still keep in touch with Madam Yusof and her children.

Madam Yusof said she continues to collect information about Maria, carefully filing away all news stories that mention her.

"The story is not complete yet," she said. "There are still a lot of details that are missing." * ST
DANGEROUS TIMES: KRONFRONTASI continued...

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MARIA HERTOGH'S NIECE Rokayah Yusof, 68, still gets emotional when she recalls how her "Auntie Nadra's" life was turned upside down when she was separated from her family in Malaya and returned to The Netherlands. Maria was five years old when she was adopted by a Malay woman, Che Aminah, during World War II.

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Visit this site to learn more about David Marshall

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Visit this site to learn more about David Marshall

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https://roots.sg/learn/stories/david-marshall/story

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David Saul Marshall was a top-notch criminal lawyer, best remembered for his strong oratorical skills and dedicated service to his country. His passion and talent led him to be elected the first Chief Minister of Singapore and founder of the Worker's Party in 1957.

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What we omit in History matters as much as what we immortalise.

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Singapore's History: What we omit matters as much as what we immortalise

Jul 15, 2015 at 11:30 am | Hits: 15073
By Eugene Teng
As we celebrate 50 years of Singapore's independence this year, much attention has been given to what has been achieved since our separation from Malaysia in 1965.

While Singapore's independence is a logical and relatable point in history, could SG50 inadvertently erase other histories that can help shape our national identit(ies) and public policy?

I'm not suggesting that SG50 is insignificant. In terms of national identity, the SG50 celebrations - alongside former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew's passing and memorial - draw important attention to a group regarded to have made Singapore what it is today: The Pioneer Generation. This generation of Singaporeans is portrayed to have been tenacious, hardworking and resilient, and to have suffered the tumultuous early years to achieve the comforts we now enjoy. Leading them was Mr Lee, widely acknowledged as a man of vision, passion and extreme dedication and pragmatism.

These traits are undisputedly positive, and highlighting them implies present generations are encouraged to adopt these qualities in taking the country forward.

However, such a singular interpretation of history has its limitations.

The emphasis on the "50" in "SG50" serves as a pertinent reminder of how Singapore has reached its first golden jubilee against all odds. Various government-funded programmes have highlighted specific remembrance of events that occurred post-1965, inadvertently implying that Singapore has only 50 years of history.

Likewise, the recent passing of Mr Lee unleashed a slew of tributes bestowing on him accolades for being the "founding father" or "founder of modern Singapore". This is problematic when one considers that he is not the sole proprietor of these titles.

What we risk losing sight of when focusing the spotlight on the last 50 years is our rich and colourful heritage that reaches back hundreds of years. It is important to be clear about when our history began. This is because the historical narrative that is accepted into common discourse determines the way in which we construe our national identity and craft public policy.

Richard Evan's In Defense of History defines the purpose of history as "finding out about the past as something to cherish and preserve, and the only proper foundation for a true understanding and appreciation of institutions of state and society in present." The future and the direction we see ourselves heading towards is forecasted from the present, which is in turn constructed upon the past.

Thus, the building blocks chosen to set this foundation are crucial to our national identity.
Forgotten histories
In constructing the current national identity that we will be commemorating this August, there has been a disproportionate emphasis on the past 50 years, which is only 7% of our entire historical timeline.

Sri Tri Buana of the Srivijayan Empire in 1299, popularly known as Sang Nila Utama can be said to be our island's first founder. The Srivijayan Empire was based in what is now Indonesia. When the last King of Singapura, Iskandar Shah, fled in 1398 under duress, he founded the Melaka Sultanate (now Melaka) but kept Singapura under his dominion. As a result, early Singapore has deep roots in Malay history and is intertwined with the histories of Malaysia and Indonesia.

However, this Malay cultural heritage is hardly visible in modern Singapore. Barely any remnants from that bygone era exist in our landscape or memory, aside from in museums and textbooks. Our so-called "heritage sites" such as Kampong Glam, the erstwhile location of the Malay royal citadel, has lost much of its connection to the Malay population due to the area adopting a more cosmopolitan Middle Eastern representation of Muslim heritage.

It may be too late to save any more physical artefacts, but a more serious recognition of this aspect of Singapore's history would no doubt be appreciated by at least a part of the population that values a more authentic rendering of our cultural roots. Can anyone then say that Singapore has no "culture"? Relations with our neighbours north and south might even be positively impacted considering the historical connections.

Our second founder, another "founder of modern Singapore", is Sir Stamford Raffles. Arriving in Singapore in 1819, Raffles' landing marked the start of colonial Singapore. He is often credited for transforming a "sleepy fishing village" into a thriving seaport, ignoring the fact that prior to his arrival, the Melaka Sultanate considered Singapura important enough to maintain a fiefdom there. According to John Miksic's Singapore and the Silk Road of the Sea, Raffles' goal in settling in Singapore was not to found a new port, but to "revive the glory that he believed Singapore had once possessed as the first great Malay trading centre". Singapura had thrived as a kingdom until its invasion in 1398, and after the establishment of the Melaka Sultanate, the island was integral to the spread of the Sultanate's influence.

Despite the colonial era lasting over a hundred years, we marginalise the contribution of the British and early Singaporean leaders in establishing the foundation and infrastructure on which independent Singapore came to be. The British invested in building Singapore's port capabilities, putting us on the path to becoming an international centre for trade. Before Mr Lee, there was David Marshall and Lim Yew Hock who themselves contributed to the struggle for internal self-government (and eventual independence) in the 1950s.

Colonialism is still alive and pervasive in the guise of coloniality of power with its legacy of hieracrchical order and Eurocentricism; there is no use in denying the influence of Western dominance in our culture and society. Singapore's Parliament is modelled after the Westminster parliamentary system. Our youth still spend many nights stressing over the Cambridge-run "O" and "A" Levels examinations. Even the foundations of our economic structure bear the hallmark of the Dutch economist Dr Albert Winsemius, who was a primary consultant to the Singapore Government in its early industrial expansion programme. There is a world of knowledge to be uncovered beyond dominant Western perspectives. By being upfront about the extent of Western influence on our everyday, we can truly broaden our perception of what we believe to be "good" and "true".

Even within this half-century, the historical narrative is biased towards domestic political affairs. Events with an international bent such as the MacDonald House bombing in 1965 are not as prominent in public consciousness, as compared to local events. A recent Institute of Policy Studies survey drove home the point - the MacDonald House bombing was recalled by only 52.6% of respondents. The Laju hostage incident fared even worse at 22.1%. This was in stark contrast to memories of merger (73.1%), separation (88.7%), and the People's Action Party's formation (68.5%) and its first victory in the General Elections (61.7%).
The future of national identity
Fifty years is a long time; we have achieved much and developed a good sense of what we are in relation to the world. There is less risk that rediscovering our forgotten history would threaten the existing narrative and the identity it has created; in fact, the incorporation of this history is valuable in enriching Singapore's heritage and culture.

The events that we select to make up our historical narrative warrant close scrutiny and consideration. The history that we omit matters just as much as the history we choose to immortalise. We as a people deserve and owe it to ourselves to know all sides of our past. Just as individuals have multiple facets to their self-identity, so should a citizenry.

It is perhaps timely then that the current archaelogical excavation at Empress Place is uncovering new revelations about our pre-colonial legacy. For instance, the discovery of Chinese imperial-grade ceramics implied that Singapore was recognised by the Emperors of the Song and Yuan dynasties then. The revision of the secondary school history syllabus to cover more of Singapore's time before 1819 is also an important step. Awareness of the manifold aspects of Singapore's history can only serve to better our understanding of our national identity and our place in the world.

Greater nuance and detail in the knowledge of our history provide us with sharper lenses with which to interpret policy, as well as local and world affairs. To repeat Evans, history provides "the only proper foundation for a true understanding and appreciation of institutions of state and society in present". The national identity we build for ourselves must be one that takes into account all corners of Singapore's past. Armed with this knowledge as guiding lights, the road to SG100 will be a bright one.
Eugene Teng is a third-year undergraduate enrolled in the University Scholars Programme at the National University of Singapore. He is currently interning at IPS.
Photo credit here

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Singapore's History: What we omit matters as much as what we immortalise

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Jul 15, 2015 at 11:30 am | Hits: 15073 By Eugene Teng As we celebrate 50 years of Singapore's independence this year, much attention has been given to what has been achieved since our separation from Malaysia in 1965.

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Read the following sample answers and my comments.
This set of notes will help you understand why understanding the question and the sources clearly is necessary to avoid committing serious mistakes like misinterpreting the source or not answering the question.

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Self-practice Maria Hertogh Riots: Suggested Answers

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Self-practice Maria Hertogh Riots: Suggested Answers

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Chap 6: People's Aspirations after 1945 (part 1)

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Chap 6: People's Aspirations after 1945 (part 1)

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Kahoot Quiz.
https://play.kahoot.it/#/k/1bc1c848-0dfa-46eb-9431-506e0e2f8071

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What was life like for the British after WW2

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What was life like for the British after WW2

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In order to understand the actions of the British in Singapore, post-world war.

We have to understand what life was like in Britain.
An area we could examine would be food shortages that Britain similarly experienced after WW2.

The topic of interest is, "Why did rationing in the UK only end in 1954, 9 years after WW2".

This article was contributed by netizens.

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Why did rationing in the UK only end in 1954, 9 years after WW2?

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Answer (1 of 13): Because lots of Britain's food is imported and we didn't have any foreign currency to pay for the food. Our finances were disastrously poor, flirting with bankrupt, at the end of WW2, and as we'd turned more of our economy (55%) over to armament production than any other bell...

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A glimpse into Colonial Rule in the Dutch East Indies (modern day Indonesia)

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A glimpse into Colonial Rule in the Dutch East Indies (modern day Indonesia)

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TLDR;
In the 19th century, the Dutch East Indies - modern Indonesia - developed into a profitable colonial empire. Local insurgents were suppressed and henceforth a huge slice of Dutch revenue came from the East Indies (read the article to find out how this was done)
The Japanese occupation was followed by a war of independence (what was the cost of this war?), and in 1949 the Dutch ceded control of the archipelago.

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In de 19th century, the Dutch East Indies - modern Indonesia - developed into a profitable colonial empire. Local insurgents were suppressed and henceforth a huge slice of Dutch revenue came from the East Indies. The Japanese occupation was followed by a war of independence, and in 1949 the Dutch ceded control of the archipelago.

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1820-1950 Indonesia and decolonisation - Timeline Dutch History - Rijksstudio - Rijksmuseum

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In de 19th century, the Dutch East Indies - modern Indonesia - developed into a profitable colonial empire. Local insurgents were suppressed and henceforth a huge slice of Dutch revenue came from the East Indies. The Japanese occupation was followed by a war of independence, and in 1949 the Dutch ceded control of the archipelago.

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Here is an academic article on the impact of the British Colonial Legacy in Singapore. 

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Here is an academic article on the impact of the British Colonial Legacy in Singapore. 

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This article demonstrates how British Colonial rule has shaped Singapore in 3 key areas; law, public administration and social services. (read from page 2)

If we weren't a British colony, it is very likely that we would have been a Dutch colony (recall Sec 1 content).
If so, what could this alternative history look like?
Perhaps you would like to read up more on what colonial rule was like in the Dutch East Indies? (modern day Indonesia, who were also occupied by the Japanese during WW2)

Another possibility would be that we wouldn't have chosen English (the language spoken by the British) to be our lingua franca. And if so, perhaps Singapore might have lost out economically and may not have thrived like it did, as the use of the English language was and is of vital importance to international trade and commerce.

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•Due Week 10.

•Students are to investigate 2 historical events and to find 3 sources for each event.

•1970s Workforce, Fertility Rates, Foreign Policy ARE NOT EVENTS,
Maria Hertogh Riots, 1955 Elections, SookChing Massacre are EVENTS

•Ensure that you have included a BOOK SOURCE and an ORAL INTERVIEW

•ALL SOURCES MUST BE PROPERLY CITED (CITATIONS PART OF MARKING RUBRICS)

•Student are to make inferences on the significance of the events for each source.
(Qns to ask when making inferences on significance: What is the impact on SG or the ppl? How many people was impacted? How did it change lives/SG? How deeply did it impact SG/the people?)

•The inferences made from each source should be different.

•Your evidence is part of the Source (1-2 lines), it should not be the Source itself.

•You are to refer to relevant pages of your HI booklet for more Information.

•Students should select different events from their team mates.

•Students are NOT ALLOWED to use the same sources as their team mates

•STUDENTS ARE ADVISED TO DECIDE ON THEIR EVENTS EARLY, GATHER 3 RELEVANT SOURCES AND THEN MAKE THEIR INFERENCES.
(This is because sources might be harder to find for certain events)

ENSURE THAT YOUR SOURCE, EVIDENCE and INFERENCE IS RELEVANT TO THE TOPIC AND THE INQUIRY QUESTION. (MUST EXPLAIN WHY IT IS SIGNIFICANT!)

THE MOMENT IT IS WRONG, YOU WILL MOST LIKELY GET L1/1

* This list of reminders is non-exhaustive.
You are to read your HI Booklet in detail to understand the requirements.

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Total Defence Day marks the surrender of Singapore by the British to the Japanese in WW2. It is a day to commemorate the importance of Singaporeans being prepared and resolved to defend Singapore ourselves. Every citizen in Singapore has a part to play in ensuring our nation's security and safety.

Given the prevalence of international terrorism.
It is no longer a question of "IF", it is a question of "WHEN", Singapore would face/suffer from a terrorist attack.

Perhaps to start you off, it would be good for you to understand/recap on what Total Defence refers to. You may do so, by watching the video below.

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School of Science and Technology Singapore

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C: Both Sources A and B are different in terms of the British views towards the Japanese military strength.

E: Source A states, "they (Japanese) were supposed to be bow-legged, cross-eyed, incapable of shooting straight or building ships that would stay afloat in a storm, able to only make weapons that does not work properly." However, Source B states, "The Japanese in Malaya have shown themselves to be able, disciplined and capable soldiers."

E: This means that Source A and B are different in terms of the British views towards Japanese military strength. This is because Source A sees the Japanese soldiers as weak and incompetent, while Source B sees the Japanese soldiers as strong and competent.

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Feedback on Comparison Homework, Exercise 5 (Fall of Singapore SBQ) 

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Feedback on Comparison Homework, Exercise 5 (Fall of Singapore SBQ) 

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1) Be aware of the Question requirements
- Comparison with a FOCUS.
Students should compare source content with the FOCUS in mind.
eg. How similar are sources A and B in telling you about People's views towards British?
(Comparison Criteria should be on Ppl's views on British, anything else is L1)

- Identify if question is asking for Similarity and/or Difference.
(1S, 1D, 2S, 2D?, 1S and 1D?)
You can also tell if it is looking for one paragraph or two from the marks scheme. (4-5 Marks - 1 para, 6-7 Marks - 2 para)

2)  Common Criteria and Evidence
- Forms a cohesive argument
- Comparison is based on source content, (DO NOT compare based on source topic, type, author, provenance, L1)

3) Explanation
- Shows how the set of evidence is a Similarity or Difference.
- If you are trying too hard to force a resemblance, you are on the wrong track.

4) Answer Format
- Common Criteria, Evidence from both sources, Explanation (CEE)
(You may choose to structure it any other way as long as you have these key components)

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Normally..
P : Point
E : Examples from the Textbook (Do not need to Quote)
E : Explanation
L: Link

However for essay questions which have two sides, eg. Difference in ppl's views.
You may structure it in this format instead.

EG.
Explain the reason for the difference in people's views towards the British.

1) Accept British Rule
PEEL

2) Do not accept British Rule
PEEL

Notes/Feedback on Students' SEQ Work
1) Be very clear on the chronological order of events and the relevant examples under each point.
2) It's a history paper, you are required to cite facts. Be as specific as possible. DO NOT DESCRIBE GENERALLY.
3) Explanation should be based on sound historical facts not conjecture.
4) Always ensure that you meet the question requirements.
eg. Different views, means show both sides. One side is not enough.

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Answers for Ex 4 and Mistakes to avoid for Comparison Qns

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Answers for Ex 4 and Mistakes to avoid for Comparison Qns

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Here is a pretty simple and easy Kahoot quiz on Chap 5.1 and Chap 5.3. If you have done your revision or have been paying attention in class you should score full marks !
Click on the link to play the quiz!
https://play.kahoot.it/#/k/1db5ae89-74e5-47aa-8a1d-cb7b0ba0c861

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Watch this video to have an understanding on why the Maria Hertogh Custody case generated so much controversy

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SBC 1988 - Diary Of A Nation (Episode 37 - Mariah Hertogh Riots)

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Documentary series (Diary Of A Nation), produced during Singapore broadcasting Corporation era. 1988

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Suggested Answer:

I can infer that General Yamashita is a strategic/intelligent/capable leader. This is seen in the source, "he struck, marching his troops through supposedly impenetrable jungle to pounce on Great Britain's 'Gilbraltar of the East', and "Yamashita prevailed". This means that General Yamashita was intelligent/strategic/capable as he was able to emerge victorious, despite the great challenge of Singapore being a strong and undefeatable fortress.

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Lt Adnan is described by many Singaporeans and Malaysians today as a hero for his actions on Bukit Chandu—he encouraged his men not to surrender and instead fight to the death. In Singaporean and Malaysian school textbooks, he is also credited as the soldier who noticed the error in the marching style of the Japanese soldiers disguised as Indian troops.

"The Malay Regiment showed what esprit de corps and discipline can achieve. Garrisons of posts held their ground and many of them were wiped out almost to a man." - Lt General Arthur Percival

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For those who are still wondering why we study history.

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Watch this video to the 20 minutes mark to understand an overview on the reasons for why Singapore Fell.

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This was taken from the Electric Pictures and Screen Australia who made these two part series. I do not own this and only subtitled it for educational purposes. The video is not intended for profitable gain.