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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 21 October 2015
Che Aminah and Maria had come to Singapore from Kemaman around 12 April 1950. It was the Chinese year of the Tiger, an ominous year for some.
They stayed at No. 94 Syed Alwi Road. There they were visited on two or three occasions by officers of the Dutch Consulate-General, who found that Che Aminah was unwilling to be separated from Maria. The Consulate then sought the assistance of the Social Welfare Department, which dealt with displaced persons and with children in need of care or protection.
Officers of the Women and Children's section of the Department got in touch with Che Aminah and Maria.
Che Aminah's attitude then was that she was not prepared to give up Maria in any circumstances. She also said she did not want the S$500 which had been offered by the Consulate as compensation for the expenses of maintaining Maria for eight years.
At this point, understanding that Che Aminah and Maria intended to return to Kemaman, Mr. Jacob Van Der Gaag, then acting as Netherlands Consul-General in Singapore, on 22 April 1950, by way of Originating Summons No. 124 of 1950, applied to the High Court for an order under the Guardianship of Infants Ordinance directing Che Aminah to deliver Maria into the custody of the Social Welfare Department, pending the making of a further order.
The Chief Justice on the same day in Chambers heard and approved the application and ordered accordingly.
Che Aminah and Maria knew nothing of all this. Neither was served with copies of the Originating Summons. They were not in court and were not represented.
The Chief Justice's interim order dated 22 April was transmitted that day to the Social Welfare Department and served by an officer of the Department on Che Aminah who surrendered Maria into the Department's care.
She was sent to Middle Road Hospital for medical examination, which was the normal routine for all children committed into the Department's care.
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