salam~
i've just finished reading Natrah -Cinta, Rusuhan & Air Mata by fatini Yaacob. the autobiography is awesome! all i could say is, if i were to find someone, Mansor Adabi will be it :) the real heart-wrenching story gives so much meaning to me. Natrah & the whole Malaya-Spore nations was forced to abide by the man-made rule, which is only based on what they think should be rather than what the religion said. thus, the law was so injust. The law ordered Natrah to be put under her parents care, and nullify her marriage to Mansor Adabi as well as terminate Che Aminah's 'service' as foster mother. how cruel!
reading the book gives me a wider perspective on this issue. little did i know about :
1. Natrah's adoption by Che Aminah.
According to Che Aminah, Adeline and her mother, Nor Louise begged her to take one of her kids, because their life was hard, and she couldn't afford to raise her 5 kids. Adeline willingly given Bertha, whose name was later changed to Nadra. She has no objection for Che Aminah to raised Bertha as a Muslim as she too was raised in a Muslim culture (Nor Louise was married to Indonesian raden Ismail after she divorced Adeline's Dutch father).
However, in an opposite statement made by Adeline, she said she was giving Bertha to be taken care of "for 3-4 days only". Adeline seek for Bertha after 4 days, but on her way to Che Aminah's place, she was taken by the Japanese and get imprisoned.
Adeline's statement was awkward, because Che Aminah was working in the Japanese Army office back then (Che Aminah was fluent in Japanese language, she used to live in Japan for a few years before). Che Aminah must have known if Adeline was imprisoned, and she would do something to release Adeline as she has a close relationship with Adeline's family.
2. Natrah's parents are not that keen to take her back
It is believed that there are third parties involved in taking Natrah back to her home country. Her parents didn't want her that much as they had 6 other kids to raised and they're poor, living a hard life in Berg Op Zoom in Holland. The third party is believed to be Missionary group and goverment bodies.
3. The Dutch was in deep shame
The strongest reason for the Dutch to do whatever is takes to bring this small girl back is due to it's defeat in Indonesia. Before Indonesia get it's independence from Dutch, Japan has defeated the Dutch in conquering Indonesia and ruled Indonesia for a few years. The Dutch was in great misery for being defeated twice. thus, it is very important for them to win this case to 'tebus maruah'.
to be continued...
