Meja Lambak

Meja Conteng is a collective of young budding Malay writers of multidisciplinary backgrounds, based in Singapore. They strive to spark a new movement in the local Malay literature scene which has been paved by the senior Malay writers and literary groups in the past. Their works are focused on publishing and storytelling in various forms but not limited to poetry, prose, and theatre.

Fadhli Fadzil is an award-winning writer and literary advocate whose work spans fiction, poetry, and creative non-fiction. He clinched both First and Third Place in the short story category of the Golden Point Award 2023, and has since published two books, including the widely circulated zine Kulihat Layu dalam Melayu.

A co-founder of the writing collective Meja Conteng, Fadhli’s writing is rooted in themes of language and cultural preservation, mental health, and alternative histories. His stories often challenge dominant narratives while offering nuanced perspectives from the margins.

In recognition of his contributions to the Malay literary scene, he was appointed Sahabat Sastera 2025, a role that affirms his commitment to nurturing the future of Malay literature in Singapore and beyond.

Athirah Karim is a passionate lover of the Malay language and culture. She has been performing since the age of six, with over six years of formal training in Malay dance during her secondary school and junior college years, a practice she continues today. An experienced actor since age nine, Athirah’s artistic journey naturally led her to pursue Malay language and literature at university.

Her recent performances include Kelana Pantun Temasek’s Waris Magis production at the Esplanade Concourse (2022) and NTU’s Rentak Budaya at Wisma Geylang Serai (2025). She has also emceed for a Hari Raya event at Henderson CC (2024).

She is currently the Vice President of a newly established Malay literary group, Rumah Rima. In 2025, she led a project for Rumah Rima under Malay Heritage Centre for a performance at the Wonderful Nusantara Festival 2025 in Johor Bahru, in which she was also a scriptwriter and performer.

Hikmah Ali is a writer and poet. In 2024, she joined the Singapore Book Council’s 2024 mentorship programme as a mentee under the Malay poetry category. Previously in 2021, she was appointed as a “Friend of Malay Literature” by the Malay Language Council, Singapore. She is also a member of Meja Conteng, a collective of young Malay writers in Singapore.