Business radio station BFM has been fined RM10,000 by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).

However, prominent BFM broadcast journalist Sharaad Kuttan said the station was being punished in the cause of "enriching public culture".

"We ignore informed opinion, albeit not Malaysian, at our own peril," Sharaad said on his Twitter account.

The station was fined for airing an interview with Islamic scholar Reza Aslan ( right ), who was critical of Malaysia's stand to ban non-Muslims from using the world 'Allah'.

The interview was conducted on Oct 21, 2013.

Aslan was critical of the Court of Appeal ruling last year that the word 'Allah' was exclusive to Muslims.

The radio was fined because it had violated the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.

Under the Act, a service provider is required to obtain approval from the regulator, which is MCMC, before airing a live or delayed broadcast.

BFM had said that it would issue a statement on the matter tomorrow.

Meanwhile, a RM10 donation drive had been immediately started for BFM following the fine.

The Facebook page, 'I pledge RM10 for BFM' , set up earlier today by press freedom advocate Masjaliza Hamzah, urged Malaysians to pledge RM10 each to help BFM with the fine.