As this is written
  MGG makes the final journey
  here on this earth
  but surely only a pit stop
  on the cosmic scale

  We may have met
  in the corridors of power
  but in the verandahs of the internet
  we have discussed what makes
  the politics of malaysia tick

  True, this country
  is no longer the same as we once
  knew it to be, driven by
  vested interests who care more
  for themselves than common civility

  As one illustrious son still living
  once lamented:
  "why do I live this long
  to witness the corruption of my race.
  Surely we will reap a terrible fate !"

  But you track down the truth
  and repeat the obvious
  over and over again
  to a country deafened
  by fear of what growth would bring

  Who will now keep those enthroned
  on their toes ?
  Tell the naked emperors of their nudity ?
  Straigten the crooked bridges
  and poke holes in the politicos' stories  ?

  More important, who will speak for the plurality
  we now need so desperately.

  In passing on at this time
  when the chickens as you so often say
  have come home to roost,
  you have left us both a legacy
  and in each of us an individual responsibility
  to do what needs to be done

  In the end
  we will get the country we deserve
  but ruled by the kancil or the buaya ?

  Leave us to our fates, would you now ?
  As the story of Malaysia unfolds

  Fare thee well MGG
  Blessings always
  to your famiy

  Uriah Ang

Mei Joon Quek <mei.joon.q...@gmail.com> wrote:
    My sincere condolences to Mr. MGG Pillai's family.

  I dunno what else to say... surely this forum has lost it soul... may the spirit of mr. mgg pillai continue to gguide and bless the country..

  On 4/29/06, Pete Loke <omygod...@yahoo.com> wrote:       I was told by MGG's family that the funeral will be leaving his house (Siewdor Apartment in Brickfield, off Jln Tun Sambanthan, KL) this 11am (Saturday).

  We are all sorry to see this great guru untimely demise.  Perhaps I am one of the last friend seeing him alive.  We all missed him.

  Pete

    If anyone has funeral details, please do let me know.
  I would like to show my last respects.

  Thank You.

     Veteran journalist MGG Pillai dies

    Veteran journalist MGG Pillai dies

Apr 28, 06 12:24pm

  The doyen of Malaysian journalism, MGG Pillai, passed away this morning at the Universiti Hospital due to heart complications.

According to his son Sreejit Pillai, the veteran newsman who pioneered Malaysia's online journalism, died at 10.40am.

Pillai, 67, began his career in journalism in the 1960s. He had also served as a war correspondent during the Vietnam War.

He was expelled from Singapore for his reporting while he was stationed in the city-state.
  He later joined the Malay Mail.

For the past 10 years, Pillai had taken to the Internet to pursue his craft. He was instrumental in the launch of discussion group Sangkancil in 1995 - Malaysia's first online community - and more recently his own website, MGGPillai.com.

Pillai was a Malaysiakini columnist since the online news website was launched six years ago and till the end took his commitment very seriously.

Despite being admitted to the hospital on Tuesday, he insisted on calling Malaysiakini that morning to say that his Chiaroscuro (Shades of gray) column wouldn't be coming in.  

"I'm afraid I won't be sending you a column today because I'm in the hospital," he told Malaysiakini's opinions and features editor S Vicknesan.
  [Full report to follow]

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