A giant has left us and Bolehland (a name that he had in fact coined) will never be the same again.

MGG was a very courageous man. Dedicated to the truth, he dared to take on the powerful - the establishment, figures in the corporate world (eg, Vincent Tan), political hegemonies (eg, Umno and the Barisan Nasional) and even the judiciary (eg, then Chief Justice Eusoff Chin).

Though he often lamented at the sad state of affairs in the mainstream press, the young and the alternative/online press like malaysiakini gave him hope. In one of his replies to me, he marveled at young journalists who have 'fire in their bellies'.

MGG was a journalist who refused to compromise the truth. Just as he was fearless, he was also fair. He was consistent in what he wrote and the principles that he held. It was therefore not surprising to find him criticising the component parties of BN on one day and the opposition on another. He did not spare PAS even though Harakah carried his articles very often. He took an occasional dig at 'Kit' (Lim Kit Siang) when he found it necessary.

His stamina for writing and interacting online (whether it is in a column, or on Sangkanchil or on his very own website) was truly amazing. I remember asking him whether he slept at all. The answer was very obvious. He would churn out articles at such an amazing rate. Journalism was his life, his breath, his legacy.

If I were to be asked to point out to what I would consider one of his flaws, it would be his, at times, long and rambling articles and his use of, if you could call it, Queen's English, which would leave a reader confused. But the man was very connected to a long history. He was very in touch with the past whilst living fully in the present.

Chiaroscuro (which he chose as the title for his column in malaysiakini) is of Italian origin. In painting, it refers to the use of deep variations in and subtle gradations of light and shade, especially to enhance the delineation of character and for general dramatic effect. MGG Pillai was a master of chiaroscuro in journalism. He successfully brought to light the dark shadows that has befallen upon this land whether it be in the courts, councils or cabinet.

I, and I am sure, many an ordinary man and woman on the street will no doubt miss MGG Pillai. He was inspiration to many of us and in our estimate can be considered a truly Tall Malaysian in a country that he loved dearly Bolehland.

Goodbye MGG, till we meet again