Statute Details
- Title: Proclamation by Minister for Defence
- Act Code: MMA1905-S518-2006
- Legislation Type: Subsidiary Legislation (SL)
- Legislative Instrument Number: S 518/2006
- Authorising Act: Military Manoeuvres Act (Chapter 182)
- Key Enabling Provision: Section 8 of the Military Manoeuvres Act
- Commencement / Effective Date: Made on 3 August 2006 (instrument dated and made accordingly)
- Current Version Status: Current version as at 27 Mar 2026 (per the legislation platform)
- Primary Legal Effect (Extract): Declares SAFTI Live Firing Area to cease to be a firing ground and deletes Item 19 from the relevant Schedule
What Is This Legislation About?
This subsidiary legislation is a proclamation made by the Minister for Defence under the Military Manoeuvres Act (Chapter 182). In plain terms, it is an official legal notice that changes the legal status of a particular defence training location—specifically, it ends the designation of a named area as a “firing ground”.
The proclamation is grounded in a specific statutory power: under section 8 of the Military Manoeuvres Act, the Minister for Defence may declare an area to cease to be a firing ground. The proclamation therefore functions as the legal mechanism by which the Government withdraws the firing-ground designation for the relevant site.
In the extract provided, the proclamation identifies the area as SAFTI Live Firing Area and states that it is the area specified in item 19 of the Schedule to the Military Manoeuvres (Firing Grounds) (Consolidation) Proclamations (Proc 1). The proclamation then performs two linked legal actions: (1) it declares the area ceases to be a firing ground, and (2) it deletes the corresponding item from the Schedule.
What Are the Key Provisions?
1. The “whereas” and enabling authority (statutory basis)
The proclamation begins with a recital: “WHEREAS under section 8 of the Military Manoeuvres Act it is enacted that the Minister for Defence may by proclamation declare an area to cease to be a firing ground”. This recital is not merely ceremonial; it signals that the Minister is acting within the authority granted by Parliament. For practitioners, this is important because it frames the scope of the Minister’s power and helps confirm that the instrument is intended to operate as a lawful exercise of the Act’s specific delegation.
2. Declaration that SAFTI Live Firing Area ceases to be a firing ground
The core operative clause states that the Minister, “in exercise of the powers conferred as aforesaid”, declares that SAFTI Live Firing Area—being the area specified in item 19 of the Schedule to the Military Manoeuvres (Firing Grounds) (Consolidation) Proclamations (Proc 1)—shall cease to be a firing ground.
Practically, this means that after the proclamation takes effect, the area is no longer legally treated as a firing ground under the firing-ground regime established by the consolidation proclamations. This can affect how the area is managed, what restrictions apply, and what permissions or safety procedures are required for activities in that location.
3. Deletion of the corresponding Schedule item
The proclamation further provides: “Item 19 in the Schedule to the Military Manoeuvres (Firing Grounds) (Consolidation) Proclamations is deleted.” This is a critical drafting feature. It ensures that the legal record aligns with the declaration. If the area is declared to cease being a firing ground but the Schedule still lists it, there would be ambiguity and potential inconsistency. By deleting the item, the proclamation removes the formal listing that underpins the firing-ground designation.
4. Formalities: making date and signatory
The instrument states: “Made this 3rd day of August 2006.” It is signed by TAN KIM SIEW, Permanent Secretary (Defence Development), Ministry of Defence, Singapore. For legal work, the making date and signatory can matter when determining effective date, publication, and the administrative chain of authority. While the extract does not specify an explicit “commencement” clause, the instrument’s making and publication context typically informs when the legal change is intended to take effect.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
This proclamation is structured in a conventional format for subsidiary legislation of this type. It contains: (1) a heading identifying the instrument, (2) a status/version note, (3) an enacting formula referencing the enabling authority, (4) a recital (“WHEREAS”) establishing the statutory power, (5) operative declarations (the cessation of the firing-ground status and the deletion of the Schedule item), and (6) formal concluding provisions identifying the making date and the signatory.
Unlike a full Act, this instrument is not divided into “Parts” or “sections” in the extract. Instead, it operates as a concise legal instrument with a small number of operative statements. The “Schedule” reference is central: the proclamation does not redefine the boundaries of the area itself; rather, it relies on the existing definition in the Schedule to the consolidation proclamations and then removes that definition by deleting the relevant item.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
The proclamation applies to the legal status of the specified area—SAFTI Live Firing Area—within the framework of the Military Manoeuvres Act and the firing-ground consolidation proclamations. While the instrument does not list “persons” or “classes of persons”, its practical effect is felt by those who rely on the firing-ground designation for operational, regulatory, or compliance purposes.
In practice, the proclamation is relevant to: (1) the Ministry of Defence and defence-related agencies responsible for training and land management; (2) contractors and personnel conducting activities in or near the former firing ground; and (3) any stakeholders whose land-use planning, safety planning, or regulatory compliance depends on whether an area is legally designated as a firing ground. If an area ceases to be a firing ground, the legal basis for treating it as such for training and related controls is removed.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Although the proclamation is short, it has high practical and legal significance. Designating an area as a firing ground is not merely descriptive; it typically underpins a regulatory regime for military training activities, safety management, and restrictions that may apply to the area. When the designation is withdrawn, the legal landscape changes.
From a compliance perspective, lawyers advising defence stakeholders, land management teams, or parties affected by military training areas should treat this proclamation as a triggering document. It can require updates to internal policies, risk assessments, and operational planning. It may also affect how authorities and third parties interpret permissions and restrictions relating to the area.
From a legal research perspective, the deletion of Item 19 from the Schedule is especially important. It ensures that the consolidation proclamations no longer list SAFTI Live Firing Area as a firing ground. Practitioners should therefore cross-check the current consolidated schedule to confirm the deletion has been reflected in the latest version. This is particularly relevant when advising on historical events, disputes about whether an area was legally designated at a given time, or when interpreting the scope of any restrictions that may have been tied to the firing-ground listing.
Related Legislation
- Military Manoeuvres Act (Chapter 182) — in particular section 8 (power to declare an area to cease to be a firing ground)
- Military Manoeuvres (Firing Grounds) (Consolidation) Proclamations (Proc 1) — including the Schedule item structure (notably Item 19, which is deleted by this proclamation)
Source Documents
This article provides an overview of the Proclamation by Minister for Defence for legal research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the official text for authoritative provisions.