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Malaysia’s
Judicial system will be a laughing stock if former Prime Minister Najib Razak is acquitted in his final appeal in the Federal Court for
corruption
Therefore, it was an absolutely correct decision when the Federal Court threw away
Najib’s request to introduce fresh evidence today. It was a delay tactic deployed by his multi-million-dollar top legal team to keep him out of
prison – till after the 15th General Election. The strategy is to intimidate – even change the judges – once Najib’s corrupted political party wins the polls.
Nazlan
To make the false accusation more dramatic, Najib paid disgraced blogger-turn-fugitive Raja Petra Kamarudin to smear the reputation of Nazlan with claims that the judge was corrupted and had received RM1 million from 1MDB. Nazlan lodged a police report in April. Stunningly, Najib withdrew his bribery allegations in early August, just a week before today’s final appeal.
*Showing her disgust over the relentless attacks on the judiciary by corrupt politicians, Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat – the first woman Chief Justice – warned in April that baseless accusations against judges had gone overboard. Defending Judge Nazlan, Chief Justice Maimun made it clear
that outside meddling would never be entertained under her leadership.*
*It was a warning very few took seriously, included the arrogant defence team of Najib.* Today (Aug 16), the country’s first woman chief justice flexed her muscle and showed the former premier that she refused to be bullied and intimidated. She used Najib’s appeal as an example to demonstrate how cases are decided based on evidence – not half-baked hearsay – in court
Chief Justice Maimun
Leading a five-member bench, Chief Justice Maimun said Najib had failed to show the relevance of the dubious new evidence against his corruption charges. She said – “It is not as if Justice Nazlan’s previous role (as Maybank general counsel) was a secret that his subsequent involvement came as a surprise”. *It was a slap in the face of both Najib and the entire defence team.*
*_It was both flabbergasting and hilarious to see Najib’s new defence team led by Hisyam Teh Poh Teik stoop so low in scrapping the bottom of the barrel, bulldozing Nazlan’s non-relevance career in Maybank just to get a
retrial for the crook. Chief Justice Maimun lectured the defence that the application to adduce additional evidence did not fulfil the requirements of the law_*
Tengku Maimun said *“there is no miscarriage of justice”*. To rub salt into Najib’s wound, the decision by the Federal Court, the highest court and the final appellate court in the country, is unanimous
Even if Nazlan has shown elements of bias or conflict, which he did not, would not the three-member Court of Appeal have acquitted Najib on December 8, 2021? Instead, not only *the Court of Appeal upheld Najib Razak’s conviction, delivering a stunning blow to the crook’s plan for a political comeback, the court has also called the 1MDB scandal a “national embarrassment"*
The most ridiculous lie – Arab donation – was rubbished by the Court of Appeal altogether. Judge Abdul Karim said the donation from the King of Saudi Arabia was “a concoction” due to the defence’s failure to provide evidence to confirm that the RM42 million was indeed originated from the Saudi royal family. Because the authenticity of Arab letters cannot be established, the donation remained hearsay and inadmissible.
The U.S. DOJ investigation results say that over US$4.5 billion was misappropriated from the 1MDB fund, with some of the money used to finance Hollywood films, and buy hotels, private jet, luxury Equanimity superyacht, Picasso paintings, jewellery and real estate. Najib has claimed RM2.6 billion found in his private bank was “donation” from Saudi Arabia royal family, a claim that could not be proven
Last year, *Najib’s lawyers insulted the Court of Appeal’s intelligence with donation tales, which all the three judges laughed off as hearsay.* Today, *_Najib’s new lawyers tried again to insult the intelligence of five judges of the Federal Court with yet another round of hearsay that High Court Judge Nazlan was corrupted._* When that failed, the defence asked for a three to four month postponement.
Najib’s new defence attorneys, included the legendary Zaid Ibrahim, thought the Kangaroo Court would buy the cheap excuse that they were not prepared. Unfortunately for Najib, after having observed how the notorious former PM wasted four years of court resources with unnecessary delays, Chief Justice Maimun rejected the request to postpone the hearing.
Mocking Najib’s decision to change counsel at the last minute, Maimun said the ex-premier was well aware of the hearing dates – “It is the appellant’s right to discharge his former solicitors and appoint new ones. This is his right to do so, but he cannot, after having made that decision, turn around and say that his new lawyers are not ready to proceed with the hearing of the appeals”.
Disgraced Najib thought he was too cunning for the Federal Court to handle, only to be played like a fiddle by the cleverer Chief Justice Maimun. As a consolation, she gave one day for the defence team to prepare, ordering the appeal hearing to begin on Thursday (Aug 18). She pointed that the dates have been fixed as far back as April, some four months ago.
Lecturing Zaid Ibrahim Suflan TH Liew & Partners, who in turn appointed Hisyam Teh Poh Teik as lead counsel, Tengku Maimun eliberately invoked Rule 6(a) of the Legal Profession (Practice and Etiquette) Rules 1978 which stipulated that an advocate and solicitor must not accept a brief
he is reasonably certain of not being able to appear and represent the client on the required day.
With tail between legs, Mr Najib cried, whined and bitched at the court lobby that he was “shocked and bitterly disappointed”
with the Federal Court’s decisions. Other judges on the bench are Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Justice Abang Iskandar and Federal Court judges – Nallini Pathmanathan, Mary Lim Thiam Suan and Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah
For almost four years, the defence has used various creative and innovative excuses to delay the trials, ranging from lead counsel Shafee’s dubious claim of being bitten by his pet dog to Najib’s swollen eyes due to allergic reaction. Najib, who served as the 6th Prime Minister of Malaysia (2009 to 2018), should have seen what’s coming months ago.
*_With Tengku Maimun in charge, it appears Prisoner-in-WaitingNajib Razak is almost game over._*
In April, Goldman Sach’s banker Roger Ng was found guilty by a New York jury, leaving him to face up to 30 years in prison.The U.S.court, which took onlyeight weeksto deliver the verdict, has certainly piled pressure on the Malaysian judicial system, which needed almost2 years to convict Najibin the trial of SRC International (a subsidiary of 1MDB).
Worse, the trial of Roger Ng has directlyimplicatedNajib Razak, his stepson Riza Aziz and partner-in-crime Jho Low.In the trial, the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) has testified in the U.S.court that not only Jho Low had stolen US$1.42 billion (RM6 billion),Najib Razak similarly stole US$756 million (RM3.2 billion)while his stepson, Riza Aziz, pocketed US$238 million (RM1 billion).
The U.S.Jurors were also shown how 1MDB money was stolen to fund a US$23 millionpink diamond necklacefor Najib’s wife, Rosmah Mansor.On July 21, the High Court rejected an application by Queen’s Counsel Jonathan Laidlaw to represent Najib in the final appeal, arguing that
there are sufficient local attorneys who are more than capable of handling the former PM’s case.
It didn’t help that former Attorney General Apandi Ali, who was appointed by Najib to clear him of all
wrongdoings, has admitted on July 16 that he was involved inbrokeringa deal between fugitive Jho Low and the Malaysian government as early as May this year.Exactly how could the Federal Court free Najib with overwhelming evidence stacked against him?
Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, center, speaks to
supporters outside at Court of Appeal in Putrajaya, Malaysia Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022. Photo: VC
Najib sent to Kajang Prison to serve his 12-year jail term
Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has begun to serve his 12-year jail term at the Kajang Prison in Selangor after losing his final appeal in the Federal Court in his graft case involving RM42mil from SRC International Sdn Bhd’s funds.
Read more at https://bit.ly/3KlGCte
Top court upholds former leader’s 12-year jail sentence in 1MDB scandal
By AFP
Malaysia's highest court on Tuesday upheld former prime minister Najib Razak's 12-year jail sentence for corruption in the 1MDB financial scandal, a decision analysts said could slam the door to a political comeback.
Chief Justice Maimun Tuan Mat also issued a warrant of committal, which a lawyer said means Najib is going immediately to jail.
The 69-year-old former prime minister looked somber and dejected, surrounded by his wife Rosmah and two children as the verdict was read.
"We find the appeal devoid of any merits. We find the conviction and sentence to be safe," Maimun said on behalf of a five-judge panel of the Federal Court.
"It is our unanimous view that the evidence led during the trial points overwhelmingly to guilt on all seven charges."
Maimun said that "it would have been a travesty of justice of the highest order if any reasonable tribunal, faced with such evidence staring it in the face, were to find that the appellant is not guilty of the seven charges preferred against him."
Sankara Nair, a lawyer who is not involved in the case, told AFP that "with the court issuing a warrant of committal, Najib will be sent to prison immediately."
The Federal Court decision was handed down after the tribunal threw out a last-minute move by Najib's lawyers to recuse the chief justice from hearing the case, alleging bias on her part.
The final ruling on the jail sentence also came four years after his long-ruling party's shock election defeat in 2018, during which allegations he and his friends embezzled billions of dollars from state fund 1MDB were key campaign issues.
A lower court in July 2020 found Najib guilty of abuse of power, money laundering and criminal breach of trust over the transfer of 42 million ringgit ($10.1 million) from SRC International, a former unit of state fund 1MDB, to his personal bank account.
An appellate court in December 2021 denied his appeal, prompting him to go to the Federal Court for a final recourse.
Some analysts said the decision will likely derail any plans by Najib for a political comeback.
"If Najib is found guilty, he will be barred from standing in the next election. Obviously, his political career is gone," James Chin, a professor of Asian studies at the University of Tasmania, told AFP before the verdict was announced.
"Under Malaysian law, Najib cannot stand for this election and the next election," he said, referring to speculation that polls may be held in 2022.
Elections are not due until September 2023.
Najib and his ruling party were voted out in 2018 following allegations of their involvement in a multibillion dollar financial scandal at 1MDB.
He and his associates were accused of stealing billions of dollars from the country's investment vehicle and spending it on everything from high-end real estate to pricey art.
Despite the lower court sentence, Najib had not been sent to prison while the appeals process played out.
Under construction: One of the controversial littoral combat ships at the Boustead Naval Shipyard in Lumut.
THE current controversy surrounding the purchase of six littoral combat ships (LCS), which is burning RM11bil of taxpayers’ hard-earned money, isn’t the first discrepancy and alleged corruption, incompetence and mismanagement involving the Defence Ministry (Mindef).
In the name of national interest, details relating to procurement are often shrouded in secrecy, with information branded classified.
Last week, the government announced that it plans to set up a Royal Commission of Inquiry to investigate the LCS issue, which has now been presented to the Cabinet.
It’s certainly a good follow-up to the detailed findings by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and the de-classification of a report which highlighted the poor financial management and cash flow issues ailing Boustead Naval Shipyard (BNS), the company embroiled in the LCS fiasco.
Hopefully, the setting up of the RCI will expose Mindef’s shortcomings and reveal it to the public while establishing a proper procurement process.
The RCI shouldn’t be another panel with a glorified name which delays its deliberation and has its report collecting dust at the end of it.
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has already stepped in, and Malaysians want to see the case expedited with the Attorney General hauling up the culprits responsible for the inflated costs.
This could include powerful political personalities who directed those implicated in the PAC report.
The sad reality is that the LCS issue is yet another shameful blot on Mindef’s long and never-ending series of scandals over the last 40 years.
Before we pore over its “chequered” history of the past decades, fresh in my mind is the 2019 news reports of the non-delivery of six helicopters worth RM300mil that were ordered in 2015.
Bernama had reported that a Mindef representative filed a complaint at MACC, saying the McDonnell Douglas MD530G lightweight combat helicopters were to be handed to Malaysia in 2017 and 2018.
It reported, quoting sources, that approval for the November 2015 purchase of the helicopters was not done according to procedures, with the government’s interests not properly protected.
The source told Bernama that the Malaysian government had paid up RM112.65mil for the acquisition, or 35% of the total cost.
We haven’t heard from MACC since 2019, when it said it was investigating 14 controversial land swap deals involving Mindef.
The list of dodgy procurement deals is long. It includes the 1981 purchase of 26 units of the British Alvis Scorpion tanks.
According to Consumer Association of Penang president, Mohideen Abdul Kader, the tank’s recommended Rolls-Royce gasoline engines were replaced with slower diesel ones, and the guns with heavier ones.
He said the modifications made the tanks heavier and slower, a sitting duck in any military encounter, and eventually in 2018, they were scrapped.
“The 186 SIBMAS armoured personnel carriers purchased by Malaysia in 1983 were found to lack combat effectiveness.
“Malaysia bought 18 Russian Sukhoi Su-30MKM Air Superiority Fighters, taking delivery of three in 2007 and the rest in 2009.
He said the deal, worth RM3.2bil, was made through a Russian state company whose local agent was paid 12% of the purchase price, amounting to RM380mil.
Mohideen said by 2018, most of them had become unserviceable, with only four of the 18 fighter jets still able to fly. The rest were under repair and the ministry eventually fired the contractor, apparently for failing to maintain the jets in airworthy condition.
“In 2002, the ministry negotiated through a Kuala Lumpur-based local company Perimekar Sdn Bhd to buy two Scorpene submarines and a used Agosta submarine produced by the French government at the price of RM4.5bil.”
Mohideen said a whopping commission of RM510mil was paid, 11% of the purchase price of the submarines.
He also claimed that in 2004, the PSC-Naval Dockyard was contracted to deliver six patrol boats to the Malaysian Navy, but only two were delivered in 2006, neither of which were fully operational.
He said by 2007, the original cost of RM5.35bil ballooned to RM6.7bil, a 26% increase.
Mohideen said the auditor general reported that the ministry had paid RM4.26bil, although only RM2.87bil worth of work had been completed, implying an overpayment of 48%. He said the Cabinet also waived late penalties of RM214mil.
A comprehensive list can’t be contained within this space because, sadly, it’s never-ending.
To take consolation, similar malpractices are reported all over the world.
Dr Zia Ul Haque Shamsi’s report on July 19, 2021, described India as having the most corruption scandals when it comes to buying arms and equipment.
He said India was plagued with scandals of military transactions despite stringent and painstaking bureaucratic processes for the approvals of defence procurements.
It will only be a matter of time before similar specialist writers on defence use Malaysia as a case study, especially when our approval process can hardly be described as rigorous.
As lawyer Mohideen rightly said, “the incestuous relationship between politically connected local agents of foreign arms manufacturers and the ministry must be ended.”
Enough is enough. It’s time we clean up our act and stop the country being looted through Mindef.
This entry was posted in On the Beat on August 21, 2022 by wcw.
Wong Chun Wai began his career as a journalist in Penang, and has served The Star for over 35 years in various capacities
and roles. He is now group editorial and corporate affairs adviser to the group, after having served as group managing director/chief executive officer.
On The Beat made its debut on Feb 23 1997 and Chun Wai has penned the column weekly without a break, except for the occasional press holiday
when the paper was not published. In May 2011, a compilation of selected articles of On The Beat was published as a book and launched in
conjunction with his 50th birthday. Chun Wai also comments on current issues in The Star.
A survey finds that the number of young adult Malaysians having sex has doubled since 2016, but their knowledge is shockingly lacking.
MALAYSIAN youth are a curious bunch, but they are still pretty ignorant when it comes to many sexual health matters.
Despite a twofold increase in youth engaging in sexual intercourse over the past six years (from 18.8% to 35.4%), a third do not know a woman can get pregnant the first time she has sex or during her period, and over one in five (22%) believe that mosquitoes can transmit sexually-transmitted infections (STIS)!
As a generation that is online most of the time and is exposed to much sexual content in pop culture, it’s not really surprising that 60% learnt about sex from online articles or watching movies and videos, while 62% had sex for the first time at the age of 22 or younger.
These were some of the findings of the second nationwide Sexual Health and Intimate Wellness Survey 2022 conducted by Durex Malaysia.
The online survey carried out from April to May involved 1,089 Malaysians between the ages of 18 and 30.
The first such survey was done in 2016 and the latest results continue to astound experts.
For example, 23% of the respondents think HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) can be transmitted through a toilet seat, which is an increase from 10% in 2016.
And even though 40% of youths felt pressured to have sex, almost half (42%) did not use a condom or other forms of birth control, which led to one out of 20 women experiencing an unwanted pregnancy.
Space to learn needed
Growing peer pressure to have premarital sex plays a major role in sexual and reproductive health-related decision-making among youths.
Since sexuality education is still considered a sensitive topic here, our youths are struggling to find a space to talk openly and find the right answers.
“When our parents asked our grandparents about sex, they didn’t know how to answer, and similarly, our parents don’t know how to answer their kids.
“So, how can they have conversations about sex when they themselves are unsure about many things?” asks counsellor and sex therapist Chan Fun Shin.
He adds that most youth are embarrassed or uncomfortable saying the words vagina or penis.
“Role-play with your friend by saying those words to start a conversation about sex.
“Eventually, you will get more relaxed and more exposed to what safe sex is,” he advises.
Adds Soroptimist International Club of Petaling Jaya’s SPOT (Soroptimist Puberty Organising Toolkit) Community Project founder Siti Aishah Hassan Hasri: “We suffer a lot of communication ‘fuzziness’ in Malaysia.
“We don’t even want to say the word penis; instead we say ‘pipi saya gatal’ and people who receive the information might think you are referring to your cheek!”
One result of this lack of proper communication about sex from trusted authorities is that many people turn to alternate sources of information about the topic.
As mentioned earlier, 60% of Malaysian youth turn to online articles, movies and videos to today’s younger generation don’t accept “yes” or “no” answers; they want to know why and how, especially when it comes to the birds and the bees. — tns learn about sex.
Nearly half (48%) turn to pornography.
Even more concerning is that one in three believe that the sex shown in pornography is normal.
“Although pornography tends to be viewed in a bad light, I think it plays a significant role in educating the youth concerning sex,” says engineering student Sharvendran Selvan, 22.
He adds though that: “It is a no-brainer that the sexual activity shown in pornography is beyond normal human capability and far from the reality.
“However, it is in our youths’ hands whether they take it positively as a mere source of knowledge, or negatively by implementing everything that they have seen.”
On the other hand, linguistics student Priya*, 23, opines: “Pornography is not the right place to learn about sex as they practice unprotected and unhygienic sex, and could potentially be a bad influence on youths.”
Allowing questions
Siti Aishah shares that: “When we speak with young people, we have to train our peer advocates so that they can speak in the same language and the same mannerisms or acronyms.
“Our main goal is to remove the hypersexualisation from the word sex and everything that comes under it.”
Established in 2015, SPOT uses carefully-designed modules to equip girls of all ages with the confidence and resilience to make informed decisions regarding their well-being.
“I have 13- and 14-year-olds asking me about sending nude pictures or if size matters in bed.
“It’s not because they want to have sex, but because they are curious.
“We want to be able to talk about gender and sex very openly and respectfully.
“Our business is providing safe spaces for young people to have conversations surrounding sex and sexuality,” she says.
Linguistics student Arung*, 22, believes that youth are very conscious of our judgemental society, as well as overall public opinion. She says: “In a country like Malaysia, where sex-related topics are still considered taboo in many places, it is hard not to be judged by the public and this is what prevents youths from seeking help.”
She thinks that sex-related concerns among youth should be addressed via proper sex education in schools, as well as via social media.
“The government should provide a proper platform for the youth where they can learn accurate information, especially as taboos about sex mean this topic is not addressed enough among our people.”
She adds: “It is a well-known fact that youths are constantly on social media such as Tiktok and Instagram.
“Thus, addressing and normalising topics related to sex on such platforms would be efficient and effective.”
Language student Wong*, 22, agrees, suggesting a platform on social media that is easily accessible and where youth can anonymously post questions.
“As youth nowadays are very timid, regularly organising an anonymous Q&A (question and answer) session with professionals would help in clearing their doubts,” she says.
To form a strong, long-lasting bond, intimacy is a key ingredient – it’s what human beings crave in order to create a safe, loving and happy relationship.
Why and how ?
Siti Aishah says: “We are all born as sensual creatures and have emotional, physical, mental and physiological needs that have to be fulfilled in order for us to grow.
Discussing the survey results, as well as issues pertaining sexual health, during the events were (from left), Chan, Tengku Aira, Siti Aishah, Gan and Arwin - REVATHI MURUGAPPAN/The Star
Over one in five youths falsely believe that HIV can be transmitted through a toilet seat. — 123rf.com
“Our young people must understand that it is OK to be sensual, but they must know what is safe and unsafe.
“When people share their experiences, there are always a lot of questions, so these conversations must begin.
“We are working together with other groups to encourage a positive attitude towards sexual and reproductive health, as well as personal and social development.”
She says sexuality education in a culturally- and developmentally-appropriate manner is key to equipping young people with the knowledge to prevent STIS, sexual-related issues and unplanned pregnancies.
A different generation
According to content creator and social activist Arwin Kumar, the youth of today want answers to everything.
“In the past, saying yes and no works, youth listened, but the current generation does not want to listen to a yes or no, they want to listen to why and how.
“Our responsibility should be more than putting a full stop to the topic, but to expand our understanding to help young people make their own decisions.
“We live in a stubborn generation that wants to be independent.
“They hear a lot, but they don’t necessarily listen.
“It is a challenge to deal with them, so we have to try different strategies.”
Indeed, we need a holistic approach in educating our young people.
“On every level, sexual health education is a shared effort – from government agencies, ngos, corporations, down to individuals.
“We want our youths to have a positive view of their bodies and sexuality, and to break the taboo factor when it comes to sexual health,” says United nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Malaysia, programme analyst Tengku Aira Tengku Razif.
After the first survey, which revealed our youth had many sexual misconceptions and wrong perceptions, Durex partnered up with the Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO) and the Federation of Reproductive Health Associations, Malaysia (FRHAM), to reach out to hundreds of young people to correct their false perceptions.
Obviously, it wasn’t enough. “We decided it was timely to conduct another survey, and again, we’ve gotten a few key insights – although we were quite shocked so many were engaging in sex!
“But then again, they all have to go through the phase all adults have gone through.
“The key phrase is learning how to respect themselves,” comments Durex Malaysia marketing manager Jerome Gan.
Based on the insights gained through the 2022 survey, Durex launched the #COMETOGETHER campaign last week.
It is aimed at having more open conversations surrounding the taboo topic of sex.
The company hopes to help Malaysian youths reduce the gaps in their sexual knowledge, equip them with accurate information and guide them to making better and more informed decisions around their sexual activities.
*not their real names
ALTHOUGH
60% of Malaysian youths perceive sex to be pleasurable, two out of five
continue to have sex despite it not being pleasurable, according to the
2022 Sexual Health and Intimate Wellness Survey.And one in four found
their first sexual
Liver Health: 4 Worst Damaging Habits- Thomas DeLauer… http://www.ThomasDeLauer.com for all your business, health, and fitness answers. The number one over the counter medication responsible for wrecking our livers is acetaminophen. Join Celebrity Trainer, Author & Organic Foods Expert, Thomas DeLauer to find out what other habits may be contributing to the health and function of our livers. Learn how the liver plays a big role in our metabolism, how we burn fat, how we get into shape, and detoxification.
1) Too much self-medication:
One of the main functions of the liver is to break down substances that we take by mouth, including medications, herbs and supplements. This process usually takes place efficiently and without causing any harm. When new medications are developed, they are extensively tested to make sure they are safe before being approved for general use. Acetaminophen, when used as directed, is extremely safe even for people with liver disease. However, taking too much acetaminophen at once, or taking a high dose of acetaminophen continuously over several days can cause damage to the liver.
How it Damages the Liver: A dose of Tylenol is absorbed by the gastrointestinal system and released into the bloodstream, where it alleviates pain and symptoms of fever. The liver filters the blood, which is responsible for metabolizing Tylenol into compounds that can be excreted by the body. About 90% is metabolized into harmless substances and excreted in the urine by the kidneys. Another 2% is removed without being metabolized. Between 5-10% is metabolized into a toxic compound called N-acetyl-p-benzoquinoeimine (NAPQI). Normally, the liver can safely remove NAPQI by combining it with gluthathione and converting it into a water-soluble product that is excreted in bile. However, after an overdose, the liver does not have enough gluthathione to combine with the NAPQI. Excess amounts of the toxic chemical cause rapid cell death, necrosis, tissue damage, and potentially deadly acute liver failure. (1,2,3)
2) Alcohol abuse:
The liver can only handle a certain amount of alcohol at any given time, so if you drink more than the liver can deal with by drinking too quickly, or drinking too much, your liver cells struggle to process it. When alcohol reaches the liver, it produces a toxic enzyme called acetaldehyde, which can damage liver cells and cause permanent scarring.
3) Smoking:
Though cigarette smoke does not directly come into contact with the liver, it does indirectly affect the liver. The chemicals in cigarette smoke eventually make their way to the liver. These chemicals cause oxidative stress on the liver, which leads to damage to the liver cells and fibrosis. Oxidative stress is involved in the aging of all the organs of the body. Oxidation produces free radicals that damage the cells of the body.
4) Lack of Sleep:
If you want to keep your body — and particularly your liver – in good condition, it is important that you get enough sleep. During sleep, the body repairs and renews its cells, so lack of sleep will interfere with that. In turn, if the liver cannot repair and renew itself as you sleep, it can’t function properly when you’re awake. A study published in the Journal of Anatomy found that sleep deprivation can cause oxidative stress to the liver. It was found that livers weren’t processing fat efficiently and instead allowed fat to accumulate (which proves that the body cannot function well without a properly working liver) (8)
8) Sleep deprivation predisposes liver to oxidative stress and phospholipid damage: a quantitative molecular imaging study. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti...
Why Healthy Liver Function is Essential to Maintain a Balanced Life
The liver is extraordinary! Responsible for over 500 functions, it's important that the liver is needed for overall health and wellbeing.
The liver function is quite extraordinary. The liver is made up of 2 lobes and is located on top of the stomach. As the “Commanding General” of the body, it is also the largest solid organ with over 500 important functions. To name a few liver functions, it regulates chemical levels in the blood, excretes bile, promotes healthy absorption and digestion, and ensures good circulation of qi, our vital energy.
As we can see, it’s imperative that the liver functions properly for overall health and wellness in the body. We share more about liver functions, what happens when issues arise, and herbal remedies to help maintain optimal health.
What is the Function of the Liver?
One vital liver function is to regulate the distribution of our life force for organs nourishment.
Most people know the liver as one of our vital organs. While it’s true from the perspective of modern anatomy, the liver has a vast basis of functions that affect the other organs. Let’s take a look at the different liver functions based on Western medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
Liver function in Western medicine
There are many things that our liver does on the daily basis. It’s considered the largest organ and gland inside the human body. Interestingly, it’s the only organ that can regrow and replace its tissue.
Inside a liver, there are hundreds of tasks on progress every single day. But mostly, here are five major functions of the liver, based on its anatomical structure.
Production of bile
Made of mainly bilirubin, cholesterol, and bile acids, bile is essential for our digestion. It breaks down fats into fatty acids and turns ammonia, which is poisonous, into the urine.
Regulation of blood levels
The liver helps to regulate our blood of amino acids, regulates our blood for proper clotting and healing, helps to clear the body of drugs or harmful substances, and helps to store resist infections by removing bacteria from the bloodstream.
Conversion of excessive glucose
The liver converts excessive glucose (sugar) into glycogen. This is used for storage that can be converted back for energy and additional glucose.
Clearance of bilirubin
Our liver also works to ensure that we don’t have excessive bilirubin from our red blood cells. Having this condition makes our eyes and skin yellow.
Stores vitamins and minerals
The liver also stores vitamins A, D, E, K, and B12. The liver is also the storage center of iron and copper.
Liver function in TCM
In TCM, the liver is one of the five Zang organs with one primary function: to store and distribute jing (essence) and qi. Rather than referring to liver in anatomy, TCM regards liver as a part of a complex web connecting multiple systems and organs. TCM sees liver functions as essential in four main areas.
Beyond its anatomical concept, our liver is a part of a complex web connecting multiple systems and organs. According to TCM, the main liver function is to control the movement of qi that sustains the organs and tissues of the body.
TCM sees liver function as essential in four main areas:
Distribution of qi
Regulation of digestive system
Management of emotional health
Modulation of the female reproductive system
The balance of qi in our liver will ensure the proper functioning of other organs inside the body. Therefore, we all need a healthy liver to function and thrive.
Problems with Poor Liver Function
In today’s fast-paced society, people who struggle to achieve work-life balance may be more susceptible to poor liver function and imbalances. Here are some problems that can arise with liver issues.
Liver disease
Western perspective: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, liver disease, also called hepatic disease, affects 4.5 million Americans. The result of substance abuse, obesity, autoimmune diseases, cancer, or viruses such as hepatitis can lead to the disruption of the liver. This is very serious that can lead to a life-threatening condition called cirrhosis. Over time and if untreated can lead to hepatic encephalopathy, esophageal varices, abdominal ascites, liver failure, or liver cancer.
Issues with the liver can also be genetic such as Hemochromatosis, Wilson’s Disease, and Alpha 1 Antitrypsin Deficiency. Hemochromatosis is signified as an iron disorder where the body absorbs too much iron from the food you eat; whereas Alpha 1 Antitrypsin Deficiency is the lack of a certain enzyme, and Wilson’s Disease prevents the body from removing copper in the liver.
Early awareness and a healthy lifestyle — such as limiting alcohol intake, adapting to a healthy diet, and doing regular exercises — are essential to keep the liver functioning properly. Some symptoms to look out for include yellowish and/or itchy skin, swelling of the body, excessive tiredness, pale stool, dark urine, or a loss of appetite, to name a few symptoms. Seek guidance from your doctor who can further assess your symptoms.
TCM perspective: TCM regards the liver as an army general of our body that regulates the movement of ‘qi’ to all organ systems. That’s why any imbalances in the liver can affect the activities of other organs and cause many health issues.
Digestive system disorders
Stomach issues can be related to problems with the liver.
Western perspective: During the early onset of liver diseases like cirrhosis, a person may experience appetite loss. This can make them lose more weight. According to a 2014 study, around 80% of liver cirrhosis patients are having at least one symptom of gastrointestinal diseases (GI). The symptoms include abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, belching, and constipation — leading to malnutrition. The causes could be raised toxin levels and insulin resistance due to problems in liver function.
TCM perspective: From a TCM perspective, a disrupted balance in the liver, spleen, stomach, and gall bladder causes digestive system disorders. As a result, people who are prone to qi imbalances are likely to present with various symptoms, such as belching, heartburn, a poor appetite, and a thin white- or yellow-colored tongue coating.
TCM uses a classical formula known as 柴胡舒肝散 (Chai Hu Shu Gan San) to treat imbalances in the stomach and liver. It consists of several ingredients that work in tandem to regulate stomach and liver imbalances. The most basic ingredients of this formula are licorice root, bupleurum, bitter orange, aged tangerine peel, nutgrass galingale rhizome, Sichuan lovage root, and peony root.
Combining Toosendan fruits and Corydalis rhizome with this formula can relieve pain by improving the effect on liver qi. Meanwhile, adding decocted inula flower and hematite — the natural mineral form of iron oxide — can promote better downward movement of qi and relieve the counterflow.
Physical and emotional disordersWestern perspective: Liver dysfunction can be hard to diagnose since there are almost no visible symptoms early on. However, as the liver function becomes more impaired, it will cause physiological changes like an electrolyte imbalance and portal hypertension. In turn, patients will start experiencing physical and emotional symptoms. These include muscle cramps, breathlessness, itchy skin, trouble sleeping, depression, andanxiety.
TCM perspective: Our emotional and physical health are interconnected. For example, excessive anger or irritability is linked to various ailments. This includes dizziness, headaches, dry mouth, and redness of the face and eyes.
Similarly, TCM also believes that emotional imbalances can act as both the symptoms and causes of physical problems. Liver imbalances, specifically, link to anger, irritability, and mental health conditions such as sleeplessness, ddepression,and chronic stress.
A sleep formula known as Suan Zao Ren Tang is especially effective in treating insomnia. Sour jujube seeds — one of the ingredients of this classic formula — is particularly beneficial for improving sleep quality. It works by calming the mind, preventing excessive sweating, nourishing the liver, and soothing the nerves .
Women’s health disorders with the liver
A healthy liver means more energy, regulated periods, and less PMS symptoms. You are ready to face more adventures.
Western perspective: As a part of the endocrine system, liver dysfunction can impact hormonal balance. In women, chronic liver disease may cause amenorrhea (missing periods) and infertility. This can be triggered by low testosterone along with high estrogen and prolactin levels.
TCM perspective: An unbalanced liver can cause irregular periods, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), mood disorders, fatigue, fever and/or chills, abdominal pain, growth of benign masses in the uterus called fibroids, and early menopause..
Another important role of the liver is the storing of blood as well as regulate blood volume in the body. During rest, blood requirement in organs and structures is less and excess blood is channeled to the liver for storage. When there is activity, demand for blood increases and the liver transports blood to the respective organs to meet these needs. In the case of liver blood deficiency, organs fail to receive adequate nourishment which can result in symptoms such as giddiness, weakness in limbs, insomnia, and scanty periods in women or even amenorrhea. When blood cannot be stored in the liver effectively, the circulation of blood becomes unpredictable, leading to either bleeding from the orifices or heavy menstruation in females.
Visual disorders
Western perspective: Eye and visual issues can also be connected to liver disorders. Conditions such as Xanthelasma signified by a yellowish bubble on the eyelid, jaundice, cataracts, or Wilson’s disease may suggest a disrupted liver function.
The liver is also responsible for the production and storage of vitamin A. Because of this, problems in the liver can cause nyctalopia — an inability to see clearly in dim light or at night — and dry eye disease.
TCM perspective: Every organ has an association with a sense organ. The liver is most closely linked to the health of our eyes. Any unpleasant signs of the eyes can therefore be used to assess the health status of the liver. TCM believes that liver blood can travel upwards to nourish eye structures and gives the eyes capacity to see. A deficiency in liver blood may lead to eye issues such as blurred vision, myopia and eye floaters. On the other hand, excess liver heat can manifest in symptoms like red and bloodshot eyes, painful eyes which may be accompanied by a burning sensation.
A herbal tonic prepared using goji berries can nourish the liver, thus help improve your vision. It also improves circulation and strengthens your immune system.
How to Maintain a Healthy Liver
Several cubes of dried poria mushrooms on a copper plate
Poria mushroom is one of the many TCM ingredients that can boost liver health.
A healthy liver function is essential for your overall well-being. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is important for the body as well as the liver. This includes regular exercise, moderate-to-no drinking or drug use, practicing safe sex, and eating healthy foods. A diet rich in green tea, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, nuts, oats, fatty fish, and limited salt, sugar, saturated fats, and refined carbs is important for liver health.
A classic formula called ‘Free and Easy Wanderer (Xiao Yao San)‘ contains eight ingredients. They are bupleurum, peppermint, Chinese Angelica, ginger root, licorice root, Poria mushrooms, white atractylode, and white peony roots. Xiao Yao San is a classical TCM formula that soothes the liver, strengthens the spleen and nourishes blood. It clears “liver stagnation” which contribute to stress, mood swings, pain, irritability, constipation, abdominal upset, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and irregular periods.
Supplementation can help to enhance the healthy liver, such as Wild Yunzhi Powder and LLiva Max, containing medicinal fungus, stout camphor fungus (niu chang chih). These formulations can also improve the body’s resistance to disease, promote vitality, and enhance the respiratory system. According to studies conducted on mice, antrodia cinnamomea, has been widely to treat diseases such as liver disease, drug and food intoxication, diarrhea, and certain cancers.
Many issues that arise with the liver are preventable or reversible. However, if you are experiencing any symptoms related to imbalances in the liver, you should seek the advice of a doctor or TCM practitioner. These professionals can assess your situation and prescribe remedies for your specific issues.
Why Healthy Liver Function is Essential to Maintain a Balanced Life https://www.allthingshealth.com/en-us/general-health/digestive-health/healthy-liver-function/
Nazlan 
Chief Justice Maimun
