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Cultural Medallion
Confrontation
Selected by The Business Times as one of the Best Books of 2013
Adi loves his life in the kampung: climbing the ancient banyan tree, watching ten-cent movies with his friends, fetching worms for the village bomoh. The residents of Kampung Pak Buyung may not have many material goods, but their simple lives are happy. However, looming on the horizon are political upheaval, race riots, gang wars and the Konfrontasi with Indonesia.
Mohamed Latiff Mohamed, three-time winner of the Singapore Literature Prize, brilliantly dramatises the period of uncertainty and change in the years leading up to Singapore's merger with Malaya. Seen through the unique perspective of the young Malay boy Adi, this fundamental period in Singaporean history is brought to life with masterful empathy. In the tradition of Ben Okri's The Famished Road and Anita Desai's The Village By the Sea, Confrontation is an incredible evocation of village life and of the consequences that come from political alignment and re-alignment.
The original Malay edition of Confrontation, titled Batas Langit, was awarded Consolation Prize in 1999 for the Malay Literary Award organised by the Malay Language Council of Singapore, and selected in 2005 for the READ! Singapore nationwide reading initiative organised by the National Library Board.
"The book charms immediately with prose in the vein of the idyllic village stories of Indian writer R. K. Narayan, written in the 1940s. Like Narayan, Mohamed Latiff can turn the backbreaking labour of fetching water from a well into a lyrical adventure. [...] For non-Malay readers, Confrontation is an engrossing exploration of history from a different perspective, as it makes readers share Adi's dawning awareness of his family's social position and then his heady delight at the notion of a state where everyone will speak his language. Even for readers who know what happened next, the ending of the book comes as a shock, followed by a strong urge to read more from this disarmingly powerful voice."
—Akshita Nanda, The Straits Times
“Singapore in the turbulent 60’s is evoked through a narrative pungent with details—of communal wells, leaky zinc roofs and kerosene lamps. While a larger political drama unfolds, Mohamed Latiff Mohamed trains his sensitive and painterly prose on the eccentric characters of Kampung Pak Buyung and their sometimes funny, sometimes tragic lives.”
—Alfian Sa’at, author of Malay Sketches
“Confrontation is a ‘must-read’ for anyone keen to experience the anxiety and loss of the Malay community leading up to the separation of Singapore from Malaysia. Latiff’s deep exploration of shattered dreams and alienation in one’s own land recalls a time and place that no longer exists, with characters who are indelibly memorable.”
—Isa Kamari, Cultural Medallion winner and author of Intercession
Adi loves his life in the kampung: climbing the ancient banyan tree, watching ten-cent movies with his friends, fetching worms for the village bomoh. The residents of Kampung Pak Buyung may not have many material goods, but their simple lives are happy. However, looming on the horizon are political upheaval, race riots, gang wars and the Konfrontasi with Indonesia.
Mohamed Latiff Mohamed, three-time winner of the Singapore Literature Prize, brilliantly dramatises the period of uncertainty and change in the years leading up to Singapore's merger with Malaya. Seen through the unique perspective of the young Malay boy Adi, this fundamental period in Singaporean history is brought to life with masterful empathy. In the tradition of Ben Okri's The Famished Road and Anita Desai's The Village By the Sea, Confrontation is an incredible evocation of village life and of the consequences that come from political alignment and re-alignment.
The original Malay edition of Confrontation, titled Batas Langit, was awarded Consolation Prize in 1999 for the Malay Literary Award organised by the Malay Language Council of Singapore, and selected in 2005 for the READ! Singapore nationwide reading initiative organised by the National Library Board.
"The book charms immediately with prose in the vein of the idyllic village stories of Indian writer R. K. Narayan, written in the 1940s. Like Narayan, Mohamed Latiff can turn the backbreaking labour of fetching water from a well into a lyrical adventure. [...] For non-Malay readers, Confrontation is an engrossing exploration of history from a different perspective, as it makes readers share Adi's dawning awareness of his family's social position and then his heady delight at the notion of a state where everyone will speak his language. Even for readers who know what happened next, the ending of the book comes as a shock, followed by a strong urge to read more from this disarmingly powerful voice."
—Akshita Nanda, The Straits Times
“Singapore in the turbulent 60’s is evoked through a narrative pungent with details—of communal wells, leaky zinc roofs and kerosene lamps. While a larger political drama unfolds, Mohamed Latiff Mohamed trains his sensitive and painterly prose on the eccentric characters of Kampung Pak Buyung and their sometimes funny, sometimes tragic lives.”
—Alfian Sa’at, author of Malay Sketches
“Confrontation is a ‘must-read’ for anyone keen to experience the anxiety and loss of the Malay community leading up to the separation of Singapore from Malaysia. Latiff’s deep exploration of shattered dreams and alienation in one’s own land recalls a time and place that no longer exists, with characters who are indelibly memorable.”
—Isa Kamari, Cultural Medallion winner and author of Intercession
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1997
2 people are currently reading
369 people want to read
About the author
Mohamed Latiff Mohamed
20 books3 followersMohamed Latiff Mohamed is one of the most prolific writers to come after the first generation of writers in the Singapore Malay literary scene. His many accolades include the Montblanc-NUS Centre for the Arts Literary Award (1998), the SEA Write award (2002), the Tun Seri Lanang Award (Malay Language Council of Singapore, Ministry of Information, Communication and Arts) (2003), the National Arts Council Special Recognition Award (2009), the Cultural Medallion (2013) and the Singapore Literature Prize in 2004, 2006 and 2008. His works revolve around the life and struggles of the Malay community in pre- and post-independence Singapore, and have been translated into Chinese, English, German and Korean.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
June 24, 2018
Having lived in Singapore for almost twenty years and as a licensed Singapore Tour Guide I know Singapore well. Academically and ‘in theory’ at least.
However, since I did not grow up in Singapore I don’t have the shared experiences of many Singaporeans of my age. I did not listen to stories from my parents about the ‘Konfrontasi’ period between Malaya – of which Singapore was then a part – and Sukarno’s Indonesia. I also did not grow up in a Singapore dotted with kampongs and wooden shacks. (HDB apartments became the order of the day by the late 1970s.)
For such experiences I turn to literature. There may not be a lot of it around as most Singaporeans were busy making ends meet – not much free time and hardly any disposable income. Hence, Mohamed Latiff’s book Confrontation – originally written in Malay - helps to fill some ‘memory’ gaps for me.
The story revolves around a kampong boy and his life in a mixed Chinese – Malay kampong in the 1960s. Political consciousness, the communist movement and Malay Nationalism are some of the undercurrents which flow through the book.
Nonetheless, the book has a human face to it. There are multiple (believable) characters all of whom go through the joys and sorrows of life like the rest of us. (No superheroes in this novel.) The characters make the novel worthwhile even for those not interested in Singapore’s history and social conditions during the 1960s ‘Merdeka Period.’ For those wishing to understand Singapore’s social milieu as seen from a Malay perspective Latiff’s novel Confrontation is a must.
However, since I did not grow up in Singapore I don’t have the shared experiences of many Singaporeans of my age. I did not listen to stories from my parents about the ‘Konfrontasi’ period between Malaya – of which Singapore was then a part – and Sukarno’s Indonesia. I also did not grow up in a Singapore dotted with kampongs and wooden shacks. (HDB apartments became the order of the day by the late 1970s.)
For such experiences I turn to literature. There may not be a lot of it around as most Singaporeans were busy making ends meet – not much free time and hardly any disposable income. Hence, Mohamed Latiff’s book Confrontation – originally written in Malay - helps to fill some ‘memory’ gaps for me.
The story revolves around a kampong boy and his life in a mixed Chinese – Malay kampong in the 1960s. Political consciousness, the communist movement and Malay Nationalism are some of the undercurrents which flow through the book.
Nonetheless, the book has a human face to it. There are multiple (believable) characters all of whom go through the joys and sorrows of life like the rest of us. (No superheroes in this novel.) The characters make the novel worthwhile even for those not interested in Singapore’s history and social conditions during the 1960s ‘Merdeka Period.’ For those wishing to understand Singapore’s social milieu as seen from a Malay perspective Latiff’s novel Confrontation is a must.
August 9, 2013
This is a quick read with short chapters and sentences that nevertheless brought the point across clearly. The story revolves around Adi's life in a kampung in 1960's Singapore. While the story itself is very simplistic, this book highlights the important events of the time - demonstrations, racial riots, the merger to form Malaysia, the Confrontation, and finally Singapore's separation from Malaysia.
The kampung culture described in this book was of particular value to me as it gave me a glimpse of my parents' childhood. Somehow I wished for more of it, something more detailed that would make me salivate upon reading about kuih, petis and opak, or create a vivid picture of the kampung sights. I don't know if anything was lost amidst translation from Malay to English. Still, I did enjoy this book.
[My edition had some overlooked grammatical errors and typos.]
I received this book through Goodread's First Reads Giveaway
The kampung culture described in this book was of particular value to me as it gave me a glimpse of my parents' childhood. Somehow I wished for more of it, something more detailed that would make me salivate upon reading about kuih, petis and opak, or create a vivid picture of the kampung sights. I don't know if anything was lost amidst translation from Malay to English. Still, I did enjoy this book.
[My edition had some overlooked grammatical errors and typos.]
I received this book through Goodread's First Reads Giveaway
May 2, 2018
Reading this book while travelling between Malaysia and Singapore really gave emphasis to Latiff’s narrative. When asked what I was reading, I often replied Konfrontasi. And Confrontation leads up to that in its final chapters while also consistently confronting you with an alternative narrative - a dream narrative - one that was written and anticipated in the minds of many, but did not eventually come to be. The novel confronts you with a long lost possibility and a prequel to the disappointing sequel that we perhaps live in today. If Confrontation ends with a termination of that possibility and of life, it seems to make sense to read Latiff’s other novel, The Widower, as a sequel as well, one defined by grief, grievance, and mourning. While I still prefer The Widower in terms of its writing style, Confrontation, like Pungut’s mosquito-like sound, is more persistent and pervasive. You will want to drown it out, only to realise you have never really stopped listening.
August 14, 2013
The scene of the kampung life give some inspiration of hard work and the mentality of Malay culture back than. To be involve in political and expect money as the reward, because of hard life and struggle if life. However I love the story very much because the it remains me of story of kampung life how my parent use to tell me when I was young. It something that I can't let it down.
April 14, 2018
an emotional account of Kampong life that doesn't hide behind romantic notions. just a gentle dollop of nostalgia. ending was abrupt though.
Read
October 8, 2017I should read this in the original Malay - see how long it'll take me.
January 20, 2022
"Don't become like peas that forget their pod, like all those who went to university, succeeded and then became wealthy and had beautiful wives, only to forget their own people. They even sided with the colonisers. They became the colonisers' dogs, their agents! Don't you become like that, Adi. If you lived such a life, your life would be no different than that of a dog!" Confrontation by Mohamed Latiff Mohamed, translated by Shafiq Selamat.
It is always illuminating to read historical fiction based on our humble country's short yet colourful history. The combined elements of trauma and nostalgia make for a very sobering and intriguing read.
In Confrontation, the simple yet lively community of Kampung Pak Buyung is in the spotlight. The core of the story is a bildungsroman of sorts for the protagonist, Adi. Unassuming and curious, Adi is the point of contact for most of the villagers.
There seems to be a struggle for a semblance of normalcy in the dysfunction of Kampung Pak Buyung - from Abang Dolah's black magic and Quran lessons, to the informal adoption of unwanted baby Pungut, to the common law marriage of the still-married Kak Habsah. What seems to be a simple life is marred by the dark realities of life - poverty, illness, addiction and domestic abuse.
In the midst of the many dysfunctions, the political shifts and movements in 1960s Singapore looms over the residents of Kampung Pak Buyung. The author paints an intriguing portrait of the key moments of Singapore's history - from the formation of political parties, to the founding of Malay schools, to the racial riots in the middle of a religious procession and most prominently, her merger and separation with Malaysia.
The illustrations of a 1960s village in Singapore are succinct and filled with imagery - from the leaking roofs of Adi's house to the mee rebus seller of Geylang Serai. The author is often elaborate and comprehensive in his prose, and the book is filled with many colourful characters and eventful situations. This book is a wonderful portrayal of Singapore's history, of village life in the midst of political turmoil. It is a book very well worth reading.
It is always illuminating to read historical fiction based on our humble country's short yet colourful history. The combined elements of trauma and nostalgia make for a very sobering and intriguing read.
In Confrontation, the simple yet lively community of Kampung Pak Buyung is in the spotlight. The core of the story is a bildungsroman of sorts for the protagonist, Adi. Unassuming and curious, Adi is the point of contact for most of the villagers.
There seems to be a struggle for a semblance of normalcy in the dysfunction of Kampung Pak Buyung - from Abang Dolah's black magic and Quran lessons, to the informal adoption of unwanted baby Pungut, to the common law marriage of the still-married Kak Habsah. What seems to be a simple life is marred by the dark realities of life - poverty, illness, addiction and domestic abuse.
In the midst of the many dysfunctions, the political shifts and movements in 1960s Singapore looms over the residents of Kampung Pak Buyung. The author paints an intriguing portrait of the key moments of Singapore's history - from the formation of political parties, to the founding of Malay schools, to the racial riots in the middle of a religious procession and most prominently, her merger and separation with Malaysia.
The illustrations of a 1960s village in Singapore are succinct and filled with imagery - from the leaking roofs of Adi's house to the mee rebus seller of Geylang Serai. The author is often elaborate and comprehensive in his prose, and the book is filled with many colourful characters and eventful situations. This book is a wonderful portrayal of Singapore's history, of village life in the midst of political turmoil. It is a book very well worth reading.
June 23, 2016
Confrontation, by Mohamed Latiff Mohamed, is a simple book that follows the exploits of young Malay Kampung boy Adi, as he lives through some of Singapore's most turbulent periods, namely the Konfrantasi and the Merger between Singapore and Malaya back in the 1960s'.
Whilst the plot is simple enough, the characters of this book are what truly make it memorable, from the simple Kampong boy Adi who dreams of making it big one day to the eccentric village Bomoh Abang Dolah who serves as somewhat of a mentor with his dreams of a united Malaysian Peninsula, Mohamed Latiff's characters are memorable ones with their peculiar habbits and somewhat tragic lives.
Singaporeans who read this book will find it somewhat relatable, with the familiar vocabulary and setting employed by Mohamed Latiff throughout the book.
This book was a rather enjoyable light hearted read and i thoroughly enjoyed it very much.
If you liked this review, follow my blog at www.leoreview.wordpress.com . Any support and feedback would be much appreciated!
Whilst the plot is simple enough, the characters of this book are what truly make it memorable, from the simple Kampong boy Adi who dreams of making it big one day to the eccentric village Bomoh Abang Dolah who serves as somewhat of a mentor with his dreams of a united Malaysian Peninsula, Mohamed Latiff's characters are memorable ones with their peculiar habbits and somewhat tragic lives.
Singaporeans who read this book will find it somewhat relatable, with the familiar vocabulary and setting employed by Mohamed Latiff throughout the book.
This book was a rather enjoyable light hearted read and i thoroughly enjoyed it very much.
If you liked this review, follow my blog at www.leoreview.wordpress.com . Any support and feedback would be much appreciated!
September 13, 2020
More a portrayal of kampung life than exploration of political themes, the latter of which is largely embodied by a well-written but somewhat insulated character. The verisimilitude of life in the village - neither carefree nor stinking slum, but filled with human life and humming relationships - is well done, though.
April 17, 2016
The title Confrontation gives an impression of war. I almost put the book down. But as I read on, I found out the novel is an English version of its original version in Malay, Batas Langit, which literally translates as The Sky's the limit.
December 16, 2020
How quickly fortunes changed?
November 10, 2025
The novel unfolds from the perspective of Adi, a young boy from a working-class Malay family living in Kampung Pak Buyung, a poor, ethnically mixed village composed predominantly of Malay and Chinese families. Through Adi’s eyes, readers witness the everyday realities of poverty, communal coexistence, social struggles, and the undercurrents of political tension gripping the region. The portrayal is rich in social realism, vividly detailing village life, local customs, and the inter-ethnic relationships that define the community’s fragile equilibrium.
The title "Confrontation" refers both to Indonesia’s aggressive policy known as Konfrontasi against the Malaysian Federation and to the internal confrontations of ethnic and political identity within Singapore itself. The novel grapples with themes of nationalism, colonial legacy, racial divisions, and ideological conflicts. It exposes the harsh realities behind nationalist rhetoric, showing how political shifts impact ordinary lives and how communal fault lines were deeply embedded and potentially explosive. The narrative also explores personal and collective identity, disillusionment, and the harsh consequences of social and political upheaval, including riots, violence, and the destabilization of longstanding community ties.
Mohamed Latiff Mohamed’s prose is noted for its empathetic, sensitive, and lyrical qualities, bringing vibrancy to the voices of a marginalized community often overlooked in mainstream historical narratives. His depiction of kampung life—full of charm, hardship, and complexity—invites readers to understand significant historical moments through intimate, human experiences. The novel serves as a socio-political commentary, offering nuanced insight into a critical transitional era through the innocent yet awakening perspective of Adi. It demands readers confront the uneasy realities of race relations and political strife in Southeast Asia’s post-colonial context.
"Confrontation" is a vital literary work that blends personal narrative with historical depth, giving voice to the Malay community’s experiences during a fraught epoch in Singapore’s history. It moves beyond simplistic nationalist narratives to depict the complex, often painful realities of decolonization, ethnicity, and belonging, making it essential reading for those interested in Southeast Asian literature and history.
The title "Confrontation" refers both to Indonesia’s aggressive policy known as Konfrontasi against the Malaysian Federation and to the internal confrontations of ethnic and political identity within Singapore itself. The novel grapples with themes of nationalism, colonial legacy, racial divisions, and ideological conflicts. It exposes the harsh realities behind nationalist rhetoric, showing how political shifts impact ordinary lives and how communal fault lines were deeply embedded and potentially explosive. The narrative also explores personal and collective identity, disillusionment, and the harsh consequences of social and political upheaval, including riots, violence, and the destabilization of longstanding community ties.
Mohamed Latiff Mohamed’s prose is noted for its empathetic, sensitive, and lyrical qualities, bringing vibrancy to the voices of a marginalized community often overlooked in mainstream historical narratives. His depiction of kampung life—full of charm, hardship, and complexity—invites readers to understand significant historical moments through intimate, human experiences. The novel serves as a socio-political commentary, offering nuanced insight into a critical transitional era through the innocent yet awakening perspective of Adi. It demands readers confront the uneasy realities of race relations and political strife in Southeast Asia’s post-colonial context.
"Confrontation" is a vital literary work that blends personal narrative with historical depth, giving voice to the Malay community’s experiences during a fraught epoch in Singapore’s history. It moves beyond simplistic nationalist narratives to depict the complex, often painful realities of decolonization, ethnicity, and belonging, making it essential reading for those interested in Southeast Asian literature and history.
December 12, 2025
3,5 stars. I really enjoyed the book - the main character is extremely likeable, and the prose is beautiful. I learned a lot about the history of Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. The ending, however, comes rather abrupt, the author failing to pull off the desired climax. Still an excellent read.
December 25, 2024
Singapore's history in the 195os through the eyes of a Adi, young kampung boy who just wants to watch 10¢ movies with his friends and climb the banyan tree in his kampung.
It's a common trope: the innocent child, whose thoughts are unclouded by prejudice and politics, grows up in a community experiencing political unrest. His thoughts are so child-like and unbiased in contrast to the complex, rule-driven world around him. Political violence, through his eyes, is stripped of its nuance so you only see the violence and the senselessness of it. IMO it's an overused trope; i feel like it doesn't do much other than show how It's So Simple, Violence Is Bad. But idk why, it worked so well in this book.
Maybe because the author painted such a vivid picture of kampung life that I was able to imagine growing up there and not my comfy HDB flat. Maybe because he was able to flesh out his main characters so well despite the fact that some of them don't get a lot of screen time. Maybe because Malay culture was portrayed with such richness that I felt a bit of Malay Pride stirring within me.
Also it was really interesting to see cameo appearances by some of our favourite Malay stereotypes (Malays Are Lazy, Malays Are Bad At Math). The second one especially, I didn't know it was an *old* stereotype. Really makes you think how short racial stereotyping has come since then.
It's a common trope: the innocent child, whose thoughts are unclouded by prejudice and politics, grows up in a community experiencing political unrest. His thoughts are so child-like and unbiased in contrast to the complex, rule-driven world around him. Political violence, through his eyes, is stripped of its nuance so you only see the violence and the senselessness of it. IMO it's an overused trope; i feel like it doesn't do much other than show how It's So Simple, Violence Is Bad. But idk why, it worked so well in this book.
Maybe because the author painted such a vivid picture of kampung life that I was able to imagine growing up there and not my comfy HDB flat. Maybe because he was able to flesh out his main characters so well despite the fact that some of them don't get a lot of screen time. Maybe because Malay culture was portrayed with such richness that I felt a bit of Malay Pride stirring within me.
Also it was really interesting to see cameo appearances by some of our favourite Malay stereotypes (Malays Are Lazy, Malays Are Bad At Math). The second one especially, I didn't know it was an *old* stereotype. Really makes you think how short racial stereotyping has come since then.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews