In the year of 1949, Maria's mother, Adeline Hertogh, came back to claim her daugther from Che Aminah. Maria's case was brought to the High Court in Singapore and she was placed under the care of the Social Welfare Department

  In May 1950, the court ruled that Maria should be returned to her natural parents. Che Aminah opposed the decision and sent in an appeal. Two months later, Maria was returned to Che Aminah.

Under Cheh Aminah care, Maria went through a marriage ceremony with a Malay teacher.

  In November 1950, the battle of custody continued. The court ruled that Maria should be returned to her natural parents again. The judge announced that the Dutch law did not recognise Maria's marriage as she was under-aged and her natural father consent was not obtained. The Malays felt that the Muslim law was not respected. 

  When the court placed Maria in the care of a Catholic convent in Thomson Road. Widespread coverage of the custody battle in the English, Malay and Tamil newspapers began. Reporters and photographers entered the convent to take pictures of Maria.

  On 11 December 1950, Che Aminah appealed again for the custody of Maria, the court sat to hear Maria's case. Large criwds was gathered outside the court at the Padang to know the verdict, the judge rejected the appeal. The Muslims felt betrayed by what they saw as the British was taking sides with the Dutch, supporters of minah at the Padang started to riot. Any Europeans or Eurasian was in sight was attacked, cars was overturned and burnt. Serious rioting erupted in the vicinity of Sultan Mosque, North Brige and Jalan Besar roads. It was a terrible and horrifying scenario, there were bloodshed , it was a storm of fire nobody expected, it all happened in a sudden.

    

The riot continued to go on for three days and a curfew was imposed for two weeks. Troops were called to maintain law and order, by the third day, everything was under control but 18people were killed and 173 people was injured during the riot.

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Every mistaken made, there's always a chance given to you, to turn over a new leaf. Everyone make mistakes, you just have to learn from your mistake and think about how to make better improvement on it instead of, sitting and having negative thoughts in your mind, nothing is impossible as long as your willing to do your best !