Live-Tweeting Budget 2011

The Malaysian Budget 2011 is being unveiled as I type this. Yes, as usual, Malaysians are throwing fits about how our government is allocating its budget. Yes, of course there are grunts of derision and (some) nods of approval. But what I do find admirable is how the Prime Minister’s Press Office has embraced a Twitter staple for events: live-tweeting updates as they’re being tabled.

A screenshot of the Malaysian Prime Minister’s Office in action

Its tweets are concise, in both Bahasa Melayu and English, and hashtagged. Of course, Malaysians on Twitter are RT-ing like crazy, commenting on #budget2011, spoofing #budget2011 with accounts like #nottherealbudget2011 and #LOLBudget2011, and generally discoursing about the budget and what it means for Malaysians everywhere. But having the PM’s office officially on Twitter gives everybody a source to fall back on to as they make their comments heard on the Twittersphere. While currently @PMOMalaysia is not actively replying any of the tweets, it’s admirable that they’re on Twitter live-tweeting in the first place.

I suppose the Malaysian government is still trying to get the hang of social media (remember #yorais?), but live-tweeting #budget2011 is a good way to get started, no?