KUALA LUMPUR, Sept. 20 -- Sin Chew Media Corporation Bhd and Sinar Karangkraf Sdn Bhd have the right to challenge the RM100,000 fines imposed on them by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching said.

According to national daily Utusan Malaysia, Teo said the two publishing houses could lodge appeals if they felt the penalties were too harsh.

"That is MCMC's decision. If they (Sin Chew and Sinar) feel the compound is too heavy, they can file an appeal," she told reporters during a visit to the Sinar Harapan Kulai Project site at Taman Impian Senai yesterday.

"Yes, they can appeal, but I'm not sure about the time frame or other details. This has to be checked with MCMC," s...