Extracting from a speech by Winston Churchill that seems appropriate in part, 'Never was so much owed by so many to so few' (in this instance, to one person)

MGG Pillai changed the mindsets of a whole generation. His was not merely good journalism, but committed journalism with a vision and a mission to change diverse mindsets towards an integrated brave new modern Malaysia. The challenge he posed was not simply a matter of "tinkering" with the weaknesses of society to maintain the status quo, but rather to project a holistic view of a new society breaking the barriers of race, ethnicity and class.

In other words, his projection was that of the 'ought' rather than the 'is' - what society ought to be rather than taking the existing situation as given. He believed in bringing about changes "within" the system that would ultimately result in changes "of " the system.

MGG relied on a structural perspective to develop his insights to remove the blockages and 'cobwebs' that constrained the free flow of ideas for innovation and change. Working within the framework of social institutions, he stressed the importance of historical and social forces that shaped lives and basically challenged and questioned the conventional wisdom that suggested for instance that 'For forms of government let fools contest, whatever is, is best'.

With his wide-ranging, and well-informed insights that penetrated politically monopolistic policies in an oligarchic economy, MGG was essentially providing an educational forum. Malaysians, hitherto never exposed to such analyses, could develop their own thoughts thereby making them fuller and better persons. Indeed, perhaps his greatest contribution here was in putting out controversial and contentious articles that - because they seemed 'outrageous' in form or content or both - literally 'forced' readers to take positions in the arguments and thereby learn in the process.

As might be expected, by questioning the distorted nature and networks of vested interest groups through political power manipulation, patronage and cronyism, MGG was easily isolated and targeted as a "trouble maker". But his response was to probe even further and he presented an unprecedented scenario where questions were even raised as to the impartially of the judiciary itself.

Indeed, his writings questioned the very meaning of democracy in a situation I have termed 'cheque-book democracy' where money talks and where therefore the poor are excluded and have no voice. In these circumstance one can even raise the questions as to whether the poor would ever be invited even to the Last Supper.

In his last article, MGG raised fears about globalisation and regretted that insufficient emphasis was given to its impact on Malaysia especially in the context of the 9th Malaysia Plan. He pointed out, that not only would globalisation would take away jobs and (even eat your breakfast!) but more significantly, that the government has failed to realise the serious threat posed by 'market forces' in undermining the sovereignty of the nation.

Also, in the situation of a strongly emerging China and India, he argued that it is not simply a matter of losing out to vast investments of FDI, but that Malaysia is not yet preparing itself to revolutionise the network of social institutions from the bottom up to build its domestic fundamentals and fight back.

These are uncertain times. I believe it true to say that MGG was convinced that a new class of intellectuals and professionals with hands-on experience should determine policies, not politicians and bureaucrats. At the same time, he also believed that a consortium of all concerned parties should work together, in the context of understanding their respective positions and sharing the economic cake rather that demanding ethnic quotas. In this way, the poor and underprivileged would be seen, and made, part of the system in going forward.

There have been many condolence postings and they are an eternal testimony to the overwhelming respect, trust and indeed love that readers had for MGG. I would be failing in my deep respect for MGG if I did not point out how he personally accompanied me to Penang last year to introduce me to a few leaders who drafted the 'People's Constitutional Proposal for Malaya', during the independence struggle.

I happened to be writing a book on the Malaysia-MCP Peace Accord and MGG felt it was important for the record that I meet these freedom fighters. I might add that he himself was not exactly in the best of health, despite which he agreed to travel by bus which was the best I could offer him being a pensioner myself. He was treated as a VIP in Penang, with invitations for lunch and dinners, as well as to lead discussion groups. Indeed, the response was so good that I had to return alone!

Finally, I cannot do better than to cite Jonathan Kent of the BBC in his letter. "His baton now passes to the brave spirits in the media who could pay the man no greater tribute than to try to fill his great shoes by making sure that those in power cannot both fail the people and count on a good night's sleep."

But alas, the word is that there are among such people, some of whom who would breathe a sigh of relief now that MGG is no more.