I refer to the letter on this remarkable person who died recently in Kuala Lumpur, during a very rare visit home. I had the pleasure of knowing him, but not very closely, and the thing that struck me was his jovial nature which belied the fact that he was not as wealthy as he once was.

He used to rub shoulders with the rich and famous, who sought him out whenever they arrived in London, and he took care of them in a way only he could. True, as letter writer Friends of Wan Hassan says, he was a 'sterling millionaire' who was way ahead of the likes of Freddie Laker or Richard Branson.

And he did not run to seek any aid or protection from the government in the course of doing his business, especially in a foreign country, unlike those who cannot survive even in their own backyard.

Wan Hassan was a regular in a small office at Star Street, off Edgeware Road together with the late Jaafar Shawal (who died last year in Malaysia too) and another contemporary, Yunus Saidin, who still runs the office there.

They were the pioneers who stepped foot in the UK in the late 50s and made it their home. They struggled to survive, and set up businesses which have survived until today. They would serve as perfect role models for those who dream of venturing abroad.

The only thing that they do not have (not that they ask) is recognition. Their names do not appear in Honours lists, or get mentioned in any fora. I'm quite sure there are many others in other parts of the UK or in other countries who have made us Malaysians proud by their existence.

Our embassies around the world should scout around for them and give them the recognition that they deserve. It would be better to give them national awards, rather than to award known gangsters who get the titles merely to cleanse their image.