Engaged scholars in socio-political reform: the case of Aliran

Aliran, an acronym for Persatuan Aliran Kesedaran Negara ("National Consciousness Movement") was established in Malaysia in 12 August 1977. Aliran was primarily the initiative of Chandra Muzaffar, Gan Teik Chee, Ariffin Omar, Subramanian Pillay, Siew Kam Poh, Ismail Hashim, and Nor Abdul Rashid. When launched, the organization was imbued with idealism in its mission for a multi-ethnic Malaysia. Aliran intellectuals would likely and self-consciously see themselves as articulating a "third system" between the public and the private sectors.