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SINGAPORE: After Twitter ended its former verification system, i.e., the blue checkmark, House Speaker Tan Chuan-Jin found a clever workaround by designating himself as “Tan Chuan-Jin (Blue Ticked)” on the social media platform.

Due to a policy change after billionaire Elon Musk acquired Twitter, the blue check, which used to be free, was offered at a subscription fee starting at US$8 a month (S$11). However, Mr Musk’s plan to raise revenues through blue check subscriptions seems to have backfired as very few users opted for it, including, it seems, Mr Tan.

In a Monday night (Apr 24) Facebook post, Mr Tan wrote, “I’ve decided to Blue Tick myself….” adding all the different check emojis before writing “(other colours too…just in case #hedging #insurance). The Speaker then proceeded to poke fun at himself by adding the hashtag #cheapo

He also wrote “Follow me?” providing a link that Twitter followers would find handy.

Commenters on his post cheered the Speaker’s creativity.

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“Your social media game is on point Sir!” wrote one.

“Not bad. With blue tie some more. So legit,” observed another.

“What can I say – You have a wicked sense of humour…” another netizen added.

Some of Mr Tan’s followers applauded his one-upmanship over Mr Musk.

His Twitter followers also applauded the Speaker’s workaround.

And it seems that he achieved his goal by actually getting more followers.

Over the weekend, Twitter made a U-turn on its verification policy by returning the blue check for free for celebrity users. /TISG

Tan Chuan Jin visits different supermarkets to check on ground status following Malaysia’s restriction of movement order