Singapore is tops in Asia for its ability to transform itself in the face of digital disruptions, said a study by the Economist Intelligence Unit.

Well-known “disruptions” include car-sharing app Uber affecting the taxi industry and streaming site Netflix changing traditional TV.

When Asian countries were compared with Australia, the UK and the US, Singapore was seen as the only one that could break western dominance, ranking just below the US.

The report also introduced the Asian Digital Transformation Index which measures infocomm technology (ICT) infrastructure, human capital and industry connectivity in 11 Asian economies.

There are three reasons why Singapore ranks highly.

INFRASTRUCTURE

Singapore scored strongly in digital infrastructure and industry connectivity, particularly in ICT expenditure, percentage of population covered by 4G networks, ICT access and usage, smartphone penetration rate and ICT laws.

Government support also played a role – the Smart Nation initiatives and the introduction of the first driverless taxis, operated by nuTonomy, were highlighted in the report.

The chairman of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Communications and Information, Mr Zaqy Mohamad, noted that Singapore, being a small nation, has an advantage as a test bed for new technology.

He said: “The challenge is for citizens to leverage on the quality infrastructure and for the infrastructure to translate into quality jobs and a better quality of life.”

Our bank must move quicker, be more ambitious and act more as a technology company.

– Mr Neal Cross, chief innovation officer at DBS

COOPERATION

Several industries are being disrupted by nimble and digitally-savvy new competitors. Instead of competing fiercely with them, some companies have decided on cooperation.

Local bank DBS, which chose to work directly with fintech companies traditionally seen as a threat to their business, was a case study.

“Our bank must move quicker, be more ambitious and act more as a technology company,” said Mr Neal Cross, chief innovation officer (CIO) at DBS.

To achieve this, his unit operates as an innovation group, which means it supports projects rather than owning or delivering them.

To change the cultural mindset across the organisation, Mr Cross has created several structured programmes. For example, bank executives were challenged during a hackathon to create a fintech company in three days.

His team also pairs executives from DBS with those at fintech companies and gives them a challenge to work out together, after which they pitch their solution or idea to the CEO.

Mr Cross was named the world’s most disruptive CIO in a contest in August.

E-PARTICIPATION

Singapore ranks fourth in terms of human capital – below South Korea, Japan and Hong Kong.

Human capital is measured by the quality of maths and science education, the extent of tertiary enrolment and citizen e-participation, credit card ownership and Internet usage.

The study also noted that Singapore is establishing programmes to enhance computer science education in schools and getting the elderly online.

Mr Zaqy said Singapore would face more challenges with its diversity than countries with homogenous populations, especially in getting the elderly on board.

He added that access to more affordable data plans would also help the lower income group.

He allegedly held a pillow to his victim’s face until she stopped struggling.

The reason: The victim, Madam Kanne Lactmy, 62, had caught him stealing her jewellery.

She was later found by a neighbour’s domestic helper and then pronounced dead by paramedics.

These shocking details were part of the prosecution’s opening statement read out at P. Mageswaran’s culpable homicide trial yesterday.

Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Wong Kok Weng said Mageswaran, 49, used to work for Madam Lactmy’s son and would join their family at functions.

In December 2013, Mageswaran needed money to pay for a new flat in Johor, Malaysia, that his wife had bought, said DPP Wong.

On Dec 9, Mageswaran allegedly asked his wife for the flat’s supporting documents and claimed he was going to convince his employer to lend him money to pay the RM5,000 (S$1,600) deposit.

Instead of going to his employer here, he headed to Madam Lactmy’s Yishun Street 81 flat, said DPP Wong.

Surveillance footage from the void deck showed Mageswaran arriving at the block at about 8.35am. He was invited in by Madam Lactmy.

Mageswaran claimed that he asked to borrow $2,000 to $3,000, but she replied she did not have that much money, said DPP Wong.

She then went to the toilet to brush her teeth. Mageswaran then entered the master bedroom and forced open a wardrobe where he found a box of jewellery and pawn shop tickets.

SEEN

Madam Lactmy walked in and saw what her Mageswaran was doing, said DPP Wong.

She demanded he return the jewellery, but he pleaded with her to let him take them, said DPP Wong.

When Madam Lactmy said she would call her son, Mageswaranpushed her to the ground.

He took a pillow and pressed it against her face using one hand, and choked her neck with his other hand for three to four minutes, the prosecution claimed.

He eventually released his grip on her neck but continued pressing the pillow against her face for another six to seven minutes, until she stopped struggling, DPP Wong said.

He left the flat with the jewellery and was again caught on surveillance footage – this time using his hands to shield his face – at about 9.35am, said DPP Wong.

Around noon, a neighbour’s domestic helper found Madam Lactmy lying on the bedroom floor.

Paramedics later found Madam Lactmy had no pulse and was not breathing. They rushed her to Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 1.30pm.

An autopsy found that she died from manual strangulation.

Meanwhile, Mageswaran returned to his Johor home, pawned the stolen jewellery for RM26,300 and threw the pawn tickets away, said DPP Wong.

Yesterday, consultant forensic pathologist Marian Wang of the Health Sciences Authority took the stand and said Madam Lactmy was found with multiple bruises and fractures to her neck.

Dr Wang said the amount of force needed to cause the neck injuries was significant and severe.

The trial continues today.

If convicted of culpable homicide, Mageswaran faces life imprisonment and caning, or up to 20 years’ jail, caning or a fine.

It was an earnest plea for help.

And over the past two days, the story of a Singaporean family trying to raise money for their beloved domestic helper after she suffered from a sudden stroke touched many hearts.

The strong bond between the family of Madam Dora Sern, 57, and their Filipino domestic helper Felicidad Muna Mico, 57, was first reported in The New Paper on Monday.

After TNP highlighted her plight, the donations rose sharply from $8,000 to more than $42,000 on crowd-funding site GiveAsia yesterday.

Madam Sern, a masseuse, said she was surprised by the overwhelming response of more than $34,000 in two days.

She told TNP: “My family and I are very grateful that the public gave generously, along with their words of encouragement.

“It really shows (Singaporeans) have a big heart for others.”

FREE TIME

Besides their fund-raising efforts, Madam Sern and her three children, who are in their 30s, had also spent all of their free time with Madam Mico at Changi General Hospital since Oct 28, when she was first admitted into the intensive care unit.

They massaged her, comforted her, and did some simple exercises with her when she was eventually transferred to a normal ward.

Their kindness to their helper moved many people.

Donor Jill Toh wrote on the GiveAsia page: “Dora, thanks for showing society what it means to extend love and care to their helpers – to see Felice as one of you, and not someone less.

“The world truly needs more people like you. Hope Felice has a speedy recovery.”

Madam Sern also shared some good news on the website that Madam Mico had returned safely to Manila on Monday.

Her condition was stable enough that she could fly back in business class on Philippine Airlines with a nurse, instead of returning home by air ambulance.

Because of the savings, Madam Sern has lowered the fund-raising target from $86,600 to $49,600.

She had turned to crowd-funding when she realised the insurance she had bought covered only $15,000 in hospitalisation.

She told TNP earlier she had not been aware that she could sign up for an insurance plan with better coverage as the family had automatically paid it every year.

Although Madam Sern is happy that her helper is back home with her family, she is still concerned about her medical care in the Philippines.

The doctors in Madam Mico’s hometown decided she was well enough to recuperate at home and a nurse would visit every day.

Madam Sern plans to fly over to visit Madam Mico in two weeks and may stay for a while.

She said: “Felice’s daughter had wanted her to go back to the Philippines as soon as possible because she was so worried about her.

“She also thanked me for giving her mother a job and treating her like family for the past few years.”

“Felice has also told her daughter that she misses us.

“My family told me I should stay with Felice to take care of her if needed.”

He allegedly held a pillow to his godmother’s face until she stopped struggling.

The reason: The victim, Madam Kanne Lactmy, 62, had caught him stealing her jewellery.

She was later found by a neighbour’s domestic helper and then pronounced dead by paramedics.

These shocking details were part of the prosecution’s opening statement read out at P. Mageswaran’s culpable homicide trial yesterday.

Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Wong Kok Weng said Mageswaran, 49, used to work for Madam Lactmy’s son and would join their family at functions.

In December 2013, Mageswaran needed money to pay for a new flat in Johor, Malaysia, that his wife had bought, said DPP Wong.

On Dec 9, Mageswaran allegedly asked his wife for the flat’s supporting documents and claimed he was going to convince his employer to lend him money to pay the RM5,000 (S$1,600) deposit.

Instead of going to his employer here, he headed to Madam Lactmy’s Yishun Street 81 flat, said DPP Wong.

Surveillance footage from the void deck showed Mageswaran arriving at the block at about 8.35am. He was invited in by Madam Lactmy.

Mageswaran claimed that he asked to borrow $2,000 to $3,000, but she replied she did not have that much money, said DPP Wong.

She then went to the toilet to brush her teeth. Mageswaran then entered the master bedroom and forced open a wardrobe where he found a box of jewellery and pawn shop tickets.

SEEN

Madam Lactmy walked in and saw what her godson was doing, said DPP Wong.

She demanded he return the jewellery, but he pleaded with her to let him take them, said DPP Wong.

When Madam Lactmy said she would call her son, Mageswaranpushed her to the ground.

He took a pillow and pressed it against her face using one hand, and choked her neck with his other hand for three to four minutes, the prosecution claimed.

He eventually released his grip on her neck but continued pressing the pillow against her face for another six to seven minutes, until she stopped struggling, DPP Wong said.

He left the flat with the jewellery and was again caught on surveillance footage – this time using his hands to shield his face – at about 9.35am, said DPP Wong.

Around noon, a neighbour’s domestic helper found Madam Lactmy lying on the bedroom floor.

Paramedics later found Madam Lactmy had no pulse and was not breathing. They rushed her to Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 1.30pm.

An autopsy found that she died from manual strangulation.

Meanwhile, Mageswaran returned to his Johor home, pawned the stolen jewellery for RM26,300 and threw the pawn tickets away, said DPP Wong.

Yesterday, consultant forensic pathologist Marian Wang of the Health Sciences Authority took the stand and said Madam Lactmy was found with multiple bruises and fractures to her neck.

Dr Wang said the amount of force needed to cause the neck injuries was significant and severe.

The trial continues today.

If convicted of culpable homicide, Mageswaran faces life imprisonment and caning, or up to 20 years’ jail, caning or a fine.

A white Audi R8 V10 knocked over four lamp posts on Bras Basah Road towards Raffles Boulevard in a pre-dawn crash.

The police were alerted to the accident at 5.56am yesterday.

They arrested the 31-year-old driver of the sports car for suspected drink driving. He suffered minor injuries and was taken to Singapore General Hospital for treatment.

The New Paper understands that the driver had lost control of his vehicle while travelling in the right-most lane of the four-lane road.

There was a female passenger in the car. Her condition is unknown.

Social media was abuzz over the accident, with pictures showing the front bumper dislodged and a wheel at the side of the road.

When TNP arrived at the scene, there were pieces of the car strewn all over the pavement.

The right-most lane of the four-lane road was cordoned off, causing a traffic jam that stretched about 1.3km.

Four of the five lamp posts on the stretch next to the Cathedral of Good Shepherd were knocked over.

AFTERMATH

Three cleaners working at the NTUC Income Centre opposite the cathedral told TNP they saw the aftermath of the accident when they reported to work at 6am yesterday.

They said the driver was no longer at the scene then.

Road safety expert Gerard Pereira, manager at the Singapore Safety Driving Centre, said the driver must had been speeding to knock down four lamp posts.

He told TNP: “Had he braked when he hit the first lamp post, he would’ve knocked down one instead of four.

“It is possible that he lost control of the car or maybe dozed off.”

Singapore Road Safety Council chairman Bernard Tay said: “It is difficult to jump to conclusion but to hit four lamp posts, it is possible that there was something wrong with the car or the brakes, or the driver was not in the right condition to drive.”

Mr Pereira said although the accident took place in the wee hours of the morning, the driver was lucky he did not hit anyone.

“Regardless of the time of the day, someone could have been hit,” he said. “If this had happened later and there was heavier traffic, it would have been harder for him to speed.

“He would have been more alert because other vehicles would be surrounding him.”

Mr Pereira stressed that drivers should never drive and drink. 

Netizens have taken to social media to express their outrage.

Student Lee Hong Zhu, 23, told TNP that when he heard about the accident, he was angry because it could have been people instead of lamp posts.

“Thankfully it was only some lamp posts, they can be replaced,” he said.

“People should not drink and drive. Not only are they endangering their own lives, they’re also endangering others.”

TNP previously reported that if a driver crashes into a lamp post, and it needs to be replaced, it will cost the driver $2,000.

People should not drink and drive. Not only are they endangering their own lives, they’re also endangering others.

– Student Lee Hong Zhu

A white Audi R8 V10 knocked over four lamp posts on Bras Basah Road towards Raffles Boulevard in a pre-dawn crash.

The police were alerted to the accident at 5.56am yesterday.

They arrested the 31-year-old driver of the sports car for suspected drink driving. He suffered minor injuries and was taken to Singapore General Hospital for treatment.

The New Paper understands that the driver had lost control of his vehicle while travelling in the right-most lane of the four-lane road.

There was a female passenger in the car. Her condition is unknown.

Social media was abuzz over the accident, with pictures showing the front bumper dislodged and a wheel at the side of the road.

When TNP arrived at the scene, there were pieces of the car strewn all over the pavement.

The right-most lane of the four-lane road was cordoned off, causing a traffic jam that stretched about 1.3km.

Four of the five lamp posts on the stretch next to the Cathedral of Good Shepherd were knocked over.

AFTERMATH

Three cleaners working at the NTUC Income Centre opposite the cathedral told TNP they saw the aftermath of the accident when they reported to work at 6am yesterday.

They said the driver was no longer at the scene then.

Road safety expert Gerard Pereira, manager at the Singapore Safety Driving Centre, said the driver must had been speeding to knock down four lamp posts.

He told TNP: “Had he braked when he hit the first lamp post, he would’ve knocked down one instead of four.

“It is possible that he lost control of the car or maybe dozed off.”

Singapore Road Safety Council chairman Bernard Tay said: “It is difficult to jump to conclusion but to hit four lamp posts, it is possible that there was something wrong with the car or the brakes, or the driver was not in the right condition to drive.”

Mr Pereira said although the accident took place in the wee hours of the morning, the driver was lucky he did not hit anyone.

“Regardless of the time of the day, someone could have been hit,” he said. “If this had happened later and there was heavier traffic, it would have been harder for him to speed.

“He would have been more alert because other vehicles would be surrounding him.”

Mr Pereira stressed that drivers should never drive and drink. 

Netizens have taken to social media to express their outrage.

Student Lee Hong Zhu, 23, told TNP that when he heard about the accident, he was angry because it could have been people instead of lamp posts.

“Thankfully it was only some lamp posts, they can be replaced,” he said.

“People should not drink and drive. Not only are they endangering their own lives, they’re also endangering others.”

TNP previously reported that if a driver crashes into a lamp post, and it needs to be replaced, it will cost the driver $2,000.

People should not drink and drive. Not only are they endangering their own lives, they’re also endangering others.

– Student Lee Hong Zhu

There were four accidents in less than 24 hours this week, two of which were fatal. ISABELLE LIEW (bxliew@sph.com.sg) reports

A white Audi R8 V10 knocked over four lamp posts on Bras Basah Road towards Raffles Boulevard in a pre-dawn crash.

The police were alerted to the accident at 5.56am yesterday.

They arrested the 31-year-old driver of the sports car for suspected drink driving. He suffered minor injuries and was taken to Singapore General Hospital for treatment.

The New Paper understands that the driver had lost control of his vehicle while travelling in the right-most lane of the four-lane road.

There was a female passenger in the car. Her condition is unknown.

Social media was abuzz over the accident, with pictures showing the front bumper dislodged and a wheel at the side of the road.

When TNP arrived at the scene, there were pieces of the car strewn all over the pavement.

The right-most lane of the four-lane road was cordoned off, causing a traffic jam that stretched about 1.3km.

Four of the five lamp posts on the stretch next to the Cathedral of Good Shepherd were knocked over.

AFTERMATH

Three cleaners working at the NTUC Income Centre opposite the cathedral told TNP they saw the aftermath of the accident when they reported to work at 6am yesterday.

They said the driver was no longer at the scene then.

Road safety expert Gerard Pereira, manager at the Singapore Safety Driving Centre, said the driver must had been speeding to knock down four lamp posts.

He told TNP: “Had he braked when he hit the first lamp post, he would’ve knocked down one instead of four.

“It is possible that he lost control of the car or maybe dozed off.”

Singapore Road Safety Council chairman Bernard Tay said: “It is difficult to jump to conclusion but to hit four lamp posts, it is possible that there was something wrong with the car or the brakes, or the driver was not in the right condition to drive.”

Mr Pereira said although the accident took place in the wee hours of the morning, the driver was lucky he did not hit anyone.

“Regardless of the time of the day, someone could have been hit,” he said. “If this had happened later and there was heavier traffic, it would have been harder for him to speed.

“He would have been more alert because other vehicles would be surrounding him.”

Mr Pereira stressed that drivers should never drive and drink. (See report above.)

Netizens have taken to social media to express their outrage.

Student Lee Hong Zhu, 23, told TNP that when he heard about the accident, he was angry because it could have been people instead of lamp posts.

“Thankfully it was only some lamp posts, they can be replaced,” he said.

“People should not drink and drive. Not only are they endangering their own lives, they’re also endangering others.”

TNP previously reported that if a driver crashes into a lamp post, and it needs to be replaced, it will cost the driver $2,000.

People should not drink and drive. Not only are they endangering their own lives, they’re also endangering others.

– Student Lee Hong Zhu

This is for Pokemon fans.

In this latest cinematic adventure, Ash meets the Mythical Pokémon Volcanion when it crashes down from the sky, creating a cloud of dust — and a mysterious force binds the two of them together. Volcanion despises humans and tries to get away, but it’s forced to drag Ash along as it continues its rescue mission. 

Pokemon The Movie: Volcanion And The Mechanical Marvel opens here Nov 24. 

We have 25 sets of movie premiums to give away, courtesy of Golden Village Pictures. Each set includes a drawstring bag and a limited edition EZ Link card.

• POKEMON THE MOVIE: VOLCANION AND THE MECHANICAL MARVEL (Opens in SG on 24.11.2016)

To win, answer the question below.

Contest closes Nov 29, 11.59pm.