Singapore Army engagement session with Pukul Habis author

When your talk comes after the Singapore Army's physically demanding IPPT test, which almost all in the audience went through earlier that morning, and before lunch in an air-conditioned auditorium, you do wonder whether the audience would snooze through the session.

Any questions? Three hands shot up.

This was followed by a steady stream of questions from the soldiers all the way till the end of the Q&A.

A Singapore Army unit hosted me this week for an engagement session. It was my first such session with the army since my debut novel, Pukul Habis, was published over two-and-a-half years ago (!). 

Many in the audience were born after August 1991, when the real Pukul Habis episode which inspired the book's title, took place. 

I was encouraged by the thought-provoking and probing questions. It was nice to stand in front of an inquisitive and curious audience, whom I think were engaged by the talk's subject matter.

Yes, there were officers who are army regulars. Best of all, these were mostly Operationally-Ready National Servicemen (i.e. reservists), ordinary citizens who will fold away their army uniforms and return to their daily lives outside the army from tomorrow.

I enjoyed the session. Hope you did too.

Thank you for hosting.

First time I saw someone go home with Pukul Habis from Books Kinokuniya

Flashback to March 2023: First time I saw someone go home with the book from Books Kinokuniya Main Store at Ngee Ann City, Singapore. Certainly a special moment for a first-time author of war fiction. Whoever you are: I was too shy to ask if you wanted me to sign your book... 🙂

For me, writing is a lonely process. It's just me, the make-believe scenarios in my head and the keyboard chatter. I prefer writing without distractions and can go offline for hours.

Those writing guide memes are right: There's really no "right" moment for inspiration to strike. I just put down what I think will work as the first draft and keep at it. How much to say, which parts to remove, what to edit for clarity, with just the little voice in one's head as a guide.

Am not sure about other authors but it has always been a thrill for me to see people respond to the published work. Whether they like it or not. Whether they understand the hidden Easter eggs is another matter.

Thank you all!

5 July 2025 Update: Pukul Habis is back at Books Kinokuniya Singapore, Malaysia. Limited print run.

Pukul Habis available again at Books Kinokuniya Singapore, Malaysia

Pukul Habis is a fictional story of a Malaysia-Singapore war, written like narrative history largely from the Malaysian point of view by a Singapore author. This war story fascinated former Malaysian Prime Minister Tun (Dr) Mahathir Mohamad. 

Tun's stylish penmanship echoes the former PM's views on Malaysia-Singapore ties. As seen in his Foreword, Tun denounces war and advocates peaceful solutions to resolving bilateral issues. Tun mentioned to the author that the story helped him realise the dreadful cost of war and its catastrophic consequences.

Tun wrote a Foreword for the second edition. So did Lieutenant-General (Retired) Winston Choo, the first Singapore Armed Forces Chief of Defence Force.

Tun and LG Choo both served during the real Pukul Habis episode in August 1991.

Both Foreword writers recommend Pukul Habis as required reading for people interested in Malaysia-Singapore defence issues.

Limited copies available from Books Kinokuniya in Singapore and Malaysia.