After a whirlwind of public fury and doxxing, this might be the de-escalation that everyone needs.
On Oct. 30, Association of Certified Security Agencies (ACSA) Honorary Secretary, Gary Haris, and President of SAS Raj Joshua Thomas met with Whampoa condo resident, Ramesh Erramalli and the security guard in question, Security Supervisor Steven Heng Woo Wee.
The meeting was facilitated by Security Association Singapore (“SAS”).
Ramesh apologised, and was forgiven
During the meeting Ramesh was apparently very remorseful and apologised to Heng many times.
According to the post, Ramesh "was worked up over the MCST Rule of collecting $10 parking fees for the overnight parking".
Addressing him as "Uncle Steven", he acknowledged that Heng was a "very humble and good Security Supervisor". The post also added that he "did not mean to hurt or harm him in any way".
Heng, on his part, also forgave Ramesh wholeheartedly, and even thanked him for personally apologising to him.
The Facebook post also stated that Heng urged everyone to forgive Ramesh, whom he called "friendly and approachable".
You can read the full statement here:
In case you can't see it:"Earlier This Evening Myself and President SAS Mr Raj Joshua Thomas met Mr Ramesh Erramalli together with Senior Security Supervisor Steven Heng Woo Wee.
Mr Ramesh was very remorseful and he apologised to SSS Steven many times during the hour-long meeting. Mr Ramesh addressed SSS Steven as Uncle Steven and said he has known Uncle Steven quite well as he has had conversations with SSS Steven before when he was patrolling the estate.
Mr Ramesh also once had an issue with the water tap at his home and contacted the Security Post. SSS Steven went to his home to help with the issue. Mr Ramesh Acknowledged SSS Steven was a very humble and good Security Supervisor and he did not mean to Hurt Or harm him in any way.
He was worked up over the MCST Rule of collecting $10 parking fees for the overnight parking. SSS Steven also said he has met Mr Ramesh when he patrolled around The estate and would stop by to have a friendly chat with him.
SSS Steven also acknowledged that Mr Ramesh was a friendly and approachable resident and always addressed him as uncle Steven. He had forgiven Mr Ramesh wholeheartedly and thanked him for coming personally to apologise to him. SSS Steven also urges everyone to forgive Mr Ramesh and forget this unfortunate incident. I also wish everyone will forgive Mr Ramesh and forget this incident.
Let’s all play a part to respect all the Security Personnel working round the clock to keep our estates, neighbourhood,offices, Hospitals, schools and Singapore to be a safe and Secure place for all of us.
We also hope MCSTs and Managing Agents will do more to create awareness of the Estate rules and by-laws of the estate so that frontline security personnel are not put in a difficult position of enforcing the rules that residents might not be aware of Thus creating such unfortunate situations.
Let’s appreciate and respect the security personnel whom are working very hard to keep Singapore Safe and Secure."
Here is another recount by the president of SAS, Raj Joshua Thomas.
In it Ramesh insisted that the person in the video was not reflective of who he is. A point echoed by all involved.The post ended with a hope of a better future.
"We should focus now on how we can address the issues that security officers face on the ground, and improve their working conditions. I hope that Steven and Ramesh’s experience will help us make progress towards a culture of understanding and mutual respect."
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Image from ACSA
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