Pukul Habis: Total Wipeout

by David Boey

"His debut novel ventures into sensitive territory that no other local author has dared stray." - The Straits Times, Singapore

"It's not a fast read, but if you're interested in SEA (Southeast Asia) security issues, or want to read something out of the ordinary, this might be worth picking up." - Larry Bond, author of Red Phoenix, co-author Red Storm Rising

"Boey is probably the most knowledgeable person, outside government, on the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF). It should be no surprise that Pukul Habis, his fictional account of a war between Singapore and its neighbour Malaysia, reflects his near-encyclopaedic knowledge of the SAF and is replete with military detail. But Boey's transition from his previous journalistic writing to the very different medium of fiction is also impressive." - Dr Tim Huxley, author of Defending the Lion City, book review in Contemporary Southeast Asia, Volume 45, Number 2, published by the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, Singapore in August 2023

Malaysia and Singapore go to war in this unthinkable scenario, written like narrative history, of all-out conventional warfare in Southeast Asia. Malaysian Armed Forces versus the Singapore Armed Forces, with the story told mainly from the Malaysian perspective.

Read about how a period of tension between the two Southeast Asian neighbours suddenly spirals into a hot-war between Malaysia and Singapore.

Join the battles in Johor’s vast palm oil and rubber plantations, along Federal expressways and trunk roads, in the congested Straits of Malacca and Singapore, and the South China Sea air-sea gap that separates Peninsular Malaysia from East Malaysia. Battles for hearts and minds are fought in cyberspace while the Malaysian military evades detection by Singaporean reconnaissance satellites.

Readers will experience fight scenes involving a spectrum of combat capabilities. These range from infantry weapons to rocket artillery, submarine and air-launched munitions for various applications, missiles, drones and much more. Expect to see tactical scenarios that run from small unit operations all the way to combined arms operations involving large tank and mechanised infantry formations for land forces, mixed fighter force operations, and anti-surface warfare fought by naval and shore-based assets.

How will the war end? Who will win?

Genres: Fiction, International Relations

422 pages, Paperback

Published November 18, 2022

About the author

David Boey is a former defence journalist who has written extensively on the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and accompanied the SAF on four operational deployments overseas. He holds an MA in Security Studies from the University of Hull, where he wrote a dissertation on Singaporean defence policy and the SAF under the supervision of Dr Tim Huxley.

Pukul Habis, his first novel, was a breakout bestseller in Singapore. David is believed to be the first Singaporean to publish a war story on the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) involving present-day MAF units and capabilities, with some fictional ones added to make the story interesting. He blogs at kementah.blogspot.com.

(Grateful if readers could shelve PH under Fiction, Military Fiction, Thriller, War, Historical Fiction. Thanks! db)

Reviews

[James Low · Rating 4 out of 5]

David Boey’s “Pukul Habis” is well researched, engagingly entertaining and - above all - a cautionary tale Singapore and Malaysia must never go to war.

Boey’s novel premised an imaginary war between the two Southeast Asian neighbours intertwined by geography, history, economy and kinship. He credited Tim Huxley’s 2000 book “Defending the Lion City”, a study of Singapore’s defence eco-system, for seeding the scenario (Huxley trialed this “Thinking the Unthinkable” scenario 10 years earlier in his article “Singapore and Malaysia: A Precarious Balance” in Pacific Review (1991), 4:3). These are the sources the concept of preemptive strike and the Mersing Line first emerged, at least into the public domain 20-30 years ago.

The dedication of Boey’s research is borne out by the detailed specifications of the equipment and near-visual survey of the locations unfolding in the narrative. Readers can almost immerse themselves into the places through his imagery and, for those military enthusiasts, seemingly operate the weapons before them. Boey must have invested months, even years, or deep research probably including many site visits.

I personally found the Malaysian perspective refreshing, as a Singaporean and a conscript soldier and reservist accustomed to our narratives and media angles. Boey’s plot of deceptions after deceptions was a realistic war-gaming of how a Malaysian military facing seemingly overwhelming odds against an adversary steeped in technology and firepower: the series of hit-and-run, harassment rather than pitch battles, decoys and deceptions are actually intuitive responses. Consider the asymmetric warfare mounted by Iraqi and Afghan opponents to the conventional forces of US and NATO, for example.

I suspect Boey deliberately chose not to clearly define the political reasons as causes of war, but this decision immediately hollows out the shape and outcome of the narrative, including its end-state. War really is the pursuit of politics by other means (Clausewitz), as someone steeped with military experience like Boey must be well aware. He must have been constrained by reasons not spelt out, to choose not to lay out the political casus belli. I can imagine a few, some not mere speculation but contextualised in historical baggage and mindsets of old - very old - leaders; as recent as 2018 a new government was quickly accompanied by heightened tensions over disputed waters and airspace. Incidentally Boey must also have purposefully chosen to not reference the joint Malaysian-Indonesian military exercise culminating in the airborne assault in Johor on 9 Aug 1991, codenamed Malindo Darsasa 3AB: Pukul Habis.

This lack of clearly defined political casus belli, for whatever reasons decided upon, robs the context in the initial chapters tracing the Period of Tension; the POT becomes meaningless if the political issues and their complexity are not laid out to explain why they lead to tension, why they escalate, and why diplomacy fails to diffuse. Boey did mention a redline against which Singapore will not tolerate the deployment of Malaysia’s Astros multiple launch rocket system and the intrusion of a barge into Singapore waters off Tuas.

But diplomats from both sides would have been busy from the emergence of these issues - which leads to another question of why Malaysia would choose such actions, i.e. political casus belli - seeking to de-escalate, given so much is at stake. And surely the interconnectedness of Singapore and Malaysia with the region, with the world, by trade, by economy, by geopolitical interest, will ensure that the US, UK, Australia, Indonesia, Thailand and Brunei (he did feature Japan later on) would have actively sought to de-escalate tensions. Boey did write in a US carrier task group seeking to assert a dampening effect as towards that effort. However, I personally found the CTG's game-over by volcanic eruption overly convenient and rather implausible. Incidentally wouldn't rescue and recovery efforts surge the 7th Fleet into the region which might avail itself rather that the JMSDF on the eve of end-state?

I also found the typhoon as basis for end-game pushing the edge of credibility, even as a novel, and while the SAF's stalling and MAF's trading-up of space and sovereignty might have compelled them to a negotiation, the terms tthat were discussed were left hanging without clear conclusion in the final pages. Back to where i started, the lack of clearly defined political objectives - for whatever reasons Boey chose not to lay out - might have convoluted into a less than satisfying conclusion.

As a novel, a few well developed central protagonists threading the narrative together would have injected more character. Indeed there were a few more fully developed protagonists like Razali and Colin. But quite a few names serve to distract rather than enhance the narrative, e.g. does Jovin operating the RBS70 who ‘lived’ for that few moments, even need a name (sorry Jovin)? The Permanent Secretary of Malaysian MINDEF did not serve much more purpose and distract more than flesh out the narrative. Speaking of which, I’m glad to see Boey featuring substantial number of female players from the senior leadership to line commanders amidst an traditionally male domain.

The takeaway from Boey, which I'm sure is also part of his intent, is that we - Malaysia and Singapore, which are so interconnected, by kin and blood, by economy and trade - we should never go to war. Because the costs, especially on the day after, are simply too high. I hope and pray that our leadersare always mindful of that, and this book should serve this cautionary tale.

[Joshua Tjahjadi · Rating 5 out of 5]

What is it like to actually experience a situation that one has spent one's adult life pondering? The soldiers of Singapore got a taste of this when David Boey's impressive inaugural, ceaselessly captivating, and stunningly splendid novel debuted last autumn. This tale, about conflict between the author (and this reviewer)'s homeland and its immediate neighbour - Singapore is a country that practices universal male conscription. Ipso facto, issues about our country's security strike a deep chord, being one that both citizen and professional soldiers have a stake in. The scenario that the author explores, is one that every Singaporean son and daughter who have ever put on the venerable №4; has thought carefully about. Thus, when David, a long serving and deeply distinguished defense journalist in his own right announced that he was working on such a project, the anticipation was profound as it was palpable. 

David rose to the occassion with grace, wit and gumption. In portraying the story from the Malaysian side, he deftly avoids playing into any preconceived expectations that his fellow Singaporeans may have had (not unlike that which one may harbour when rooting for one's favourite soccer team). Many perspectives around this (mercifully, hitherto fictional) scenario revolves around Singapore's technological edge, and Malaysia's geographical advantage. David shrewdly and deftly avoids turning either into a dogmatic position - rather, he thoughtfully considers what a battle which does not go anything like plan may look like. David also courageously goes against the grain in refusing to accept commonly held assumptions about the parameters within which how such a conflict might be fought. In doing so, he paints a chillingly belieavable story that is inherrently satisfying. Yes, existing realities are acknowledged and analyzed, but they do not bind Boey's thoughtful pen. What David admirably succeeded in doing is creating a comfortable discomfort in some readers - that which comes from having one's assumptions tested, but in a way one knows is credibly done by a fair broker. 

The author jumps straight into action, of Singapore and Malaysia at irreconcillable odds with each other. Toward the resolution of his narrative, Boey's book cuts out right after a resolution of apparent hostillities. Doing both resulted in a leaner narrative, but left me chomping at the bit about the resultantly unanswered questions. What could have driven both neighbours to warring odds? After such a dramatically destructive conflict - what does this do to Singapore's strategic standing? While on the topic of what else may have led to a more satisfying story, this reviewer thought there might be two more areas worth mentioning. Firstly, the absence of air to air battles. Granted, the strategic decisions made by the Malaysian military significantly reduced the odds that the RSAF and RMAF needed to duke it out in the skies. Still, it was surprising that there were no fast jet to fast jet encounters chronicled. For all the ways in which widely perceived air power disparities in one party's favour were turned on its head in one of the more thought provoking (my favourite) chapters of the book - it would have been fun to see what the brilliant Mr Boey would have thought an air to air, AAM & gun encounter could have looked like. Secondly, toward the latter half of a narrative, a natural weather event somewhat curtailled the progression of armed clashes. While this was a witty literary tool and a compelling turn in the story - I suspect that more readers would have found it worthwhile to see what a prolonged, combined arms battle could have looked like had that have to reach a critical resolution on its own. Thirdly, several of the more secretive, and potentially strategic elements of both sides' war machines, which this reviewer was hoping would make an appearance, did not. There was probably a good narrative reason for this, but yours truly would personally have had a great time seeing the following elements come into play: electronic warfare, major surface combatants, special operation forces, and long range stand off weapons. 

This is an incredibly difficult essay to write. One does not easily comment on the work of a true patriot, and consummate professional. In picking up and re-reading this book, one cannot help but sense the labour of love that has gone into it. It is balanced, while still thought provoking. The now legendary quote by a Singaporean defense officials about the SAF's aces alludes to all the other possible scenarios running through David's mind, that he ultimately chose not to include. Thus, one of the best parts of this book is reading in light of the realization; that of all possible war stories, this is the one that David chose to press send on. Reading this book is like seeing two old friends finally settle an argument they have long had, upon finally realizing that this whole time; they weren't that different after all. Bravo!

[Muhammad Haziq · Rating 5 out of 5]

The novel that depicted a unthinkable and unimaginable scenario of war between 2 Southeast Asia state. This novel written by David Boey is full with thriller that will caught your attention and making you want to know what happened next , the novel show how both states fail to resolve the crisis peacefully and ended up causing a war with one side open fire first.

The novel also show how both sides play their game into the conflict , one side equipped with state of the art , modern and larger numbers of military assets while the other side equipped with modern and minimum number of military assets. Both states show their tactics on how to outmanoeuvred each others , relying on state of the art and modern equipment is not enough and it's all depends on the man who operated it , one side use stealth and deceiving it's opponent to a trap.

This novel also shown how the war effected the life of a normal civilian , imagine you having a great night with your family or love one and suddenly the war breaks out. Civilian will definitely the one that will directly felt the impact of the war event thought the invading forces didn't do anything to the civilian , resistance movement will raised up to suppress the invading forces.

Technologies play important roles on both sides , even one side is equipped with advanced technologies and others sides were seems outmatch but if the man who operates it's can use it effectively , it's can bring a extensive damage or destruction to the enemy.

This novel shows that both Malaysia & Singapore can caused heavy damage and casualties to each others. Soldiers experience is depends on their peacetime training or real combat experience , one side trained their soldiers for urban invasion and other side is expert on jungle warfare. This novel have shown how difficult it is to combat on the environment you not familiar with and other side use it's for their own advantages to suppress and bring the terror right into the enemy face.

I've recommend all Malaysian and Singaporean to read this novel , it's show how both countries needed each others and what we can do to avoid this situation in real life. War is painful and it should be avoided at all cost.

I want to compliment David Boey hardwork and all individuals who assisted him while writing this novel , the sacrificed the author made to complete this novel is outstanding the results is worthwhile. The writing , information on both countries military assets and the suspense on each storyline caught my attention and interest. PUKUL HABIS is now one of my favourite war fiction novel and I would love to see more war novel from David Boey.

Ratings : 10/10

[Swee Shoon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pukul Habis: Total Wipeout is exactly what it sets out to be: a fictional war novel about an unthinkable war between Singapore and Malaysia, written from the Malaysian perspective. The gradual build up to the outbreak of hostilities over several chapters draws the reader into the plot. It has been a while since I was compelled to finish reading a book in one sitting.

David has been incredibly detailed and meticulous in describing the various theatres of conflict, from the description of Observation Posts and Insertion Points. I found David's knowledge of both Singapore Armed Forces and Angkatan Tentera Malaysia military assets to be impressive, and his experience as a defence journalist shines. It is exciting to recognise references to military hardware and doctrine peppered generously across the book.

Leaving it as a piece of fiction allows the reader to read between the lines and draw important lessons on conflict, and that in a war there are no real winners. What surprised me was the incredible effort, resourcefulness and coordination on the side of the Malaysian defenders.

There are sufficient plot twists to keep up the reader's interest and I will not hesitate to strongly recommend Pukul Habis to a broad spectrum of readers. It is easy to read, relatable and ultimately satisfying.

[Sudhagar · Rating 4 out of 5]

My expectation was low when picking up the book but boy how wrong I was.

I just couldn't put the book down once started. David's a Singaporean and being a Defence reporter obviously he's expected to know about the Lion City's military. But what he knows about the Malaysian military rather shocked me. His knowledge exceeds even the knowledgeable Malaysians. His description of geography, language used (Malay) and the military terminologies used was spot-on. He obviously has very good sources and wonder if some of the things he revealed are still classified.

This is an action novel and obviously doesn't do too much character developments or ponders on philosophical and geo political issues. But David writes decently well enough to gain a wise-like grip on the reader. He's well read on non-military matters too.

I like his approach on attempting to write from the Malaysian perspective while being balanced to both sides. His description of military actions is authentic and puts to shame some of the well known Western authors of military fiction.

I don't think any Malaysians or Singaporeans would want a war between the two countries as the consequences to both nations would be disastrous not just economically but also socially and politically.

[Bryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book!

My Review (SOME SPOILERS)

1. David Boey is incredibly detailed and took great effort to thoroughly research the military assets that both counties might have. He takes effort also in describing the setting very well.

2. The book can get bogged down by military jargon and abbreviations that only people who have served NS can grasp. Even then it makes for a slow read as again, the author goes into the nitty gritty of explaining weapon systems and military tactics.

3. The author gives the ATM (MAF) an huge edge over the SAF in the book which I find at times hard to believe, not in its military assets but in tactics and planning. Every plan is executed smoothly, RSAF Apaches are always ambushed and shot down that you suffer from this ‘ambush’ fatigue.

4. Some parts are quite unrealistic. The US Aircraft carrier getting struck by a volcano and a typhoon hitting the region conveniently during this period of tension is a bit much. However, I also appreciate that the author did so to make the story a fictional one, and not cut too close to actual operations without getting into trouble.

5. Overall a good read for those interested in military fiction, especially if you are a former NSmen/current NSF.

[Jeremy Lau · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't get my eyes off the book once I started on the first page.

This book by no means has any intentions of stirring any nationalistic emotions, but rather an indepth analysis of each country's capabilities.

There was no premise to the start of hostilities, rather that the 2 nations were in the midst of a bitter quarrel. Exciting moments like Amphibious coastal hook, massive tank battles, a cat and mouse game between submarines and surface combatants as well as unconventional warfare are covered, with realistic losses and tactics discussed, in view of the ongoing ukraine war, there were interesting parallels that I could see.

I believe the point of the book was to open up a perspective from both sides of the coin, that the end game to any hostilities would be unnecessary sacrifices and years of distrust of the local populace which would be detrimental to any further diplomacy.

Still, sometimes to stop a war, one has to know a war and this book serves to give the readers an understanding of it.

[Reader]

David ,

In the world of techno thrillers and warfare, and growing up on a diet of Larry Bond and Tom Clancy , David has shown what is possible with an understanding of military tech warfare and history. A war in someone else's backyard is less disturbing and though provoking than a war in your own backyard.

He also has chosen a different path whereby the side he is more familiar with does not win in the way it thought it would. Tom Clancy and Larry Bond would not write books where the Americans could lose or draw, I believe David stands out in the regards,

He has warned the SAF that no plan however good survives contact with the enemy and the enemy has a vote as well .


Marcus

[Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though very intriguing to dwell into, SG-My theme fictional war book is a complex and sensitive topic to dwell into.

David Boey's Pukul Habis is a good attempt by a local writer whose knowledge local geostrategic and military affairs is commendable. In fact, it is better than any other books wiv similar themes that have been written before by other writers to that matters and sense.

Having said that, there are still room of improvement that could make this piece even better. Look forward for more of this by David Boey in the future

[sbs transit · Rating 4 out of 5]

The quality of writing is terrible but giving it 4 stars for the lolz. Was part of a tranche of books dedicated to exorcizing the brainrot from my psyche... The guy knows more than a little too much and has clearly seen a good deal of the ***'s dirty laundry. Aside from the several fictions that leave you wondering just how much they're the product of creative license (I'm sure they are please don't arrest me), bumped it up an extra star for directing outsize and oddly specific attention to items that unfortunately bear a sense of overfamiliarity

[Min Soo · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author exhibits immense knowledge of the Malaysian and Singapore militaries. English language techno-thrillers usually cover conflicts between China, Russia, and North Korea vs the US, so it was a refreshing change to read about a fictional conflict that didn’t involve the usual countries. As for the book itself, once the action starts, you can’t put it down. Great book and highly recommended.

[Muhammad Shazwan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a sucker for military action in South East Asia as it is not being covered extensively in books or anything. Especially when it comes to a “imaginary” battle between 2 countries with interesting history with each other. The stories coupled with very technical aspects of military jargon really keeps me going and enjoying it every step of the way.

[Kirk D'Souza · Rating 4 out of 5]

A valiant and possibly unprecedented attempt to depict a possible conflict between SG and MY, presenting very harrowing hypotheticals. One key takeaway from this book - never underestimate the power of deception in levelling the playing field in battle. I only wish the author had explained the backdrop to the war, and spent less time detailing the military specs of every weapon and vehicle.

[Leong Weng · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent read for all current or military personnel. David has an in-depth knowledge and understanding on both MAF and SAF. The story successfully highlighted the challenges and professionalism on both forces. Looking forward to the next book by David.

[Ronald Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A war against Malaysia? How will it begin and end?
The amount of research done up for the book and terms used in he book is very in depth.

Reading the book is as if reading a non Friction story, a real historical war, only to realise is friction.

[Ted Howland · Rating 3 out of 5]

The subject is quite fascinating as well as being (literally) close to home. I found the book to have two distinct styles - highly technically detailed segments that remind me of Red Storm Rising (awesome and very well done) interspersed with narrative so imporbable it breaks any immerson or suspension of belief. I've no objection to arrogance leading to disaster or anticipated walkovers not being walkovers (and history is repleat with such examples), but when one side is has nearly godly powers of Infallabile Ambush to the degree that the Rangers would be put to shame or can do any complex manuever flawlessly despite never having practiced it before under any conditions - it is is a problem.

[Mihkel · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like Tom Clancy's or Clive Cussler's books, then you will enjoy this book too.