Persatuan Aliran Kesedaran Negara (literally, ‘society for the flow of national consciousness’) was registered as a society with the Registrar of Societies, Malaysia, on 25 January 1977.
It was then launched in Penang on 12 August 1977 by seven concerned Malaysians from various ethnic backgrounds based on certain basic beliefs (part 1 and part 2) and principles.
Today, we are a national reform movement with members, friends and supporters from different parts of the country.
Since 1977, we have been planting the seeds of public awareness of critical political, economic and social issues.
Over the years, we have lobbied hard for wide-ranging democratic reforms in all aspects of public life. Today, the stirring cries of “Reformasi!” ring out for all to hear.
For over three decades, we published a periodical – the inaugural issue in 1980 (see below), Aliran Quarterly in 1982-83 and then Aliran Monthly, from 1984 to our last issue in 2014. Thirty-three volumes in all.
The Monthly went on to become Malaysia’s leading independent English-language news magazine.
Aliran has had Roster (A1) Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations since 1987.
Our years of a nomadic existence in various rented offices in Penang finally drew to a close when we constructed a permanent office in Jelutong, Penang. We moved into this office in 1999, and we have been here ever since.
In 1997, we launched our website and by the end of 2014, after the Monthly ceased publication, we turned fully digital. This allows us to focus on reaching out to even more Malaysians via this website, social media and our e-newsletters.
In recent years, Aliran has been represented in the Bersih 2.0 steering committee, playing our part in four massive rallies for electoral reform since 2007.
Read some of the highlights from our history.
Read also ‘Aliran turns 40: Engaged scholars, activists in socio-political reforms’ and Aliran: An independent voice turns 40.