Rui En apologises for ‘judgmental error’ in car accident
Singaporean singer-actress Rui En. TODAY file photo
SINGAPORE — Local television actress Rui En apologised on Thursday (April 14) for her “judgmental error” and “careless driving”, following an accident on Tuesday where she hit a stationary motorcycle at a Clementi car park.
The 35-year-old, who received flak for asking the motorcycle owner, Mr Bahrom Sarmiten, 52, if he knew who she was after he confronted her, also admitted that she should have handled the situation “with more tact”.
Explaining her remarks to Mr Bahrom, she said: “In my state of anxiety, I told him ‘Do you know who I am, I live upstairs and won’t run’ ... He appeared to be very angry.”
She added: “I was unsure (if) what I said came out sounding entirely different from what I meant. I was simply trying to convey that I lived here, people would know and recognise me if I ran away. On hindsight, my choice of words used was inappropriate and I agree that it caused unnecessary misunderstanding.”
This was the second time the actress was involved in an accident in recent months. In January, she hit a car and the owner put up her licence plate number on social media before the actress contacted the owner and made a private settlement, Lianhe Zaobao reported.
When contacted, Rui En’s management company Hype Records declined to go into detail about the previous incident, only saying that the matter had been resolved.
In her statement released through Hype Records, Rui En apologised to the motorcycle owner for “the inconveniences and distress caused”.
She recounted that she had tried to offer monetary compensation, but the owner had not been satisfied with the amount offered and had asked for more.
“I was very disappointed with myself for knocking down the motorcycle,” she said of the accident in a car park near Block 331 on Clementi Avenue 2.
“I would like to reiterate that it was a judgmental error on my part, there is absolutely no excuse for my careless driving and more importantly, I truly regret it.”
“Looking back, I wished I handled the situation with more tact. I sincerely apologise for the unnecessary inconveniences caused and I thank everyone again for your care and concern,” she added.
Rui En, who is now assisting the police with investigations, did not address allegations of drink-driving that were reported by multiple media outlets.
Her management company told TODAY that she did not attend a scheduled shoot for the Channel 8 police drama C.L.I.F. 4 on Thursday, but would return to work on Friday.
Executive producer Chong Liung Man confirmed that the actress is still in the cast of the show — where she plays an inspector — and that the series would not be affected.
Rui En, who is set to receive the All Time Favourite Artiste Award at this year’s Star Awards, will be attending the event’s Show 1 this Sunday.
Apart from this award, she is also nominated for Best Actress for her role in the drama The Dream Makers 2.
Read her full statement here:
I refer to the recent media reports regarding my involvement in the incident that took place on 12 Apr 2016.
There are various interpretations as to the conversation that took place between the motorcycle owner and myself. To address the context of that conversation, I would like to share what I can without causing any interference to the ongoing investigation.
Tuesday, 12 Apr 2016: I was about to reach home. Upon driving into the open-air car park where I usually park, I misjudged a turn and accidentally knocked over a stationary motorcycle parked directly in front of a kerb. No other driver was involved during the incident.
I was very disappointed with myself for knocking down the motorcycle. My initial intention was to move my car to a traffic-free spot before addressing the matter.
I was subsequently stopped by a man. He continuously knocked on my car window while I was attempting to move my car. I later discovered that the man was the owner of the motorcycle.
I tried to signal to him to allow me to move my car first but he persistently hit my screen and gradually, his knocks got louder.
I got out of my car. I attempted to explain that I would take full responsibility. He probably had the impression that I looked like someone that would run away from the scene.
In my state of anxiety, I told him “Do you know who I am, I live upstairs and won't run"
He appeared to be very angry. I was unsure what I said came out sounding entirely different from what I meant. I was simply trying to convey that I live here, people would know and recognise me if I ran away. On hindsight, my choice of words used were inappropriate and I agree that it caused unnecessary misunderstandings.
What was said next was a process similar to most traffic incidents.
I offered to compensate for the damages.
I offered him monetary compensation in the form of cash. He was not satisfied with the amount offered and asked for more.
By this time the police has been called in.
I would like to reiterate that it was a judgmental error on my part, there is absolutely no excuse on my careless driving and more importantly, I truly regretted it.
I will also like to take this opportunity to apologise to him for the inconveniences and distress caused.
Looking back I wished I handled the situation with more tact.
I sincerely apologise for the unnecessary inconveniences caused and I thank everyone again for your care and concern.
Yours sincerely
Rui En
