Statute Details
- Title: Protected Places (No. 12) Order 2006
- Act Code: IPA2017-S403-2006
- Type: Subsidiary Legislation (SL)
- Authorising Act: Protected Areas and Protected Places Act (Cap. 256)
- Enacting formula (power used): Section 5(1) of the Protected Areas and Protected Places Act
- Commencement: Comes into operation on 30 June 2006
- Key provisions in the extract: Sections 1–2; Schedule (premises list)
- Current status (as provided): Current version as at 27 March 2026
- Legislation identifier in the extract: SL 403/2006
What Is This Legislation About?
The Protected Places (No. 12) Order 2006 is a Singapore subsidiary legislation instrument made under the Protected Areas and Protected Places Act (Cap. 256). Its practical purpose is straightforward: it designates specific premises as “protected places” for the purposes of the Act, and it restricts entry into those premises to authorised persons only.
In plain language, the Order functions like a legal “access control” notice. Once the premises listed in the Schedule are declared protected places, the law requires that anyone who is present in those premises must have the appropriate authorisation—typically a pass-card or permit issued by the relevant authority, or permission from an authorised officer on duty.
Although the extract provided is brief, it is typical of this category of Orders: the substantive work is done by (i) the designation of premises in the Schedule and (ii) the entry/authorisation rule in section 2. The broader legal consequences—such as offences, enforcement mechanisms, and penalties—are generally found in the parent Act (Cap. 256), not in the Order itself.
What Are the Key Provisions?
Section 1 (Citation and commencement) sets the legal identity and timing of the instrument. It provides that the Order may be cited as the Protected Places (No. 12) Order 2006 and that it comes into operation on 30 June 2006. For practitioners, commencement matters because it determines from what date the protected-place restrictions apply to the premises listed in the Schedule.
Section 2 (Premises declared to be protected place) is the core operative provision. It declares that the premises described in the second column of the Schedule are “protected place[s]” for the purposes of the Act. The section then imposes a general prohibition: no person shall be in those premises unless they satisfy one of the authorisation conditions.
The authorisation conditions are twofold:
- Possession of a pass-card or permit issued by the authority specified in the first column of the Schedule; or
- Permission from an authorised officer on duty at the premises to enter the premises.
From a legal drafting and compliance perspective, section 2 is designed to be both strict and practical. It does not require that a person be “employed” by the authority; rather, it focuses on whether the person has the relevant access instrument (pass-card/permit) or has obtained permission from the authorised officer. This is important for contractors, visitors, auditors, and other third parties who may need temporary access.
The Schedule is therefore crucial. While the extract does not reproduce the Schedule’s contents, the structure is clear from section 2: the Schedule has at least two columns—(1) the authority that issues the pass-card/permit, and (2) the premises that are declared protected places. In practice, the Schedule determines both who can authorise entry (via the specified authority) and what locations are covered. For legal work—such as advising on access rights, reviewing incident reports, or assessing whether a person was lawfully present—obtaining and reviewing the Schedule is essential.
Enacting formula and making date: The Order states that it is made by the Minister for Home Affairs in exercise of powers under section 5(1) of Cap. 256. It also records that it was made on 29 June 2006 by Benny Lim, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs. These details can matter when assessing validity, procedural compliance, or the scope of delegated authority.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
This Order is structured in a minimal, functional way typical of protected-place designation instruments:
- Enacting formula: identifies the statutory power relied upon (section 5(1) of Cap. 256) and the Ministerial authority.
- Section 1: citation and commencement (30 June 2006).
- Section 2: operative designation and entry restriction, tied directly to the Schedule.
- THE SCHEDULE: lists the premises and the relevant authority specified for pass-card/permit issuance.
Notably, the extract does not show any additional parts or sections. This indicates that the Order is not meant to be a comprehensive code; instead, it operates as a “designation layer” that activates the protective regime under the parent Act for the specific premises listed.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
The Order applies to “no person”—that is, it is not limited to employees, residents, or particular categories of persons. Any individual who is in the premises declared as protected places must comply with the authorisation requirements in section 2.
In terms of practical application, the Order affects:
- Pass-card/permit holders issued by the authority named in the Schedule (they may be present lawfully if they possess the required authorisation);
- Visitors and temporary entrants who may enter only after receiving permission from an authorised officer on duty; and
- Unauthorised persons who are present without the required pass-card/permit or permission—who would be exposed to the consequences under the Protected Areas and Protected Places Act.
Because the Order is tied to the parent Act, the precise legal consequences for breach (e.g., offences, penalties, enforcement powers, and evidential rules) will be found in Cap. 256. For a practitioner, the correct approach is to read the Order together with the Act, rather than treating the Order as self-contained.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Protected-place designations are a key part of Singapore’s security and safety framework. Orders like the Protected Places (No. 12) Order 2006 translate security policy into enforceable legal restrictions by specifying particular premises where access must be controlled. This is particularly significant for locations that may involve sensitive operations, critical infrastructure, or other security-relevant activities.
From a legal risk perspective, the Order creates a clear compliance threshold: presence in the protected premises is lawful only if the person has the required authorisation. This can be decisive in investigations and prosecutions. For example, in an incident involving an unauthorised person found on-site, the central factual questions typically include: Was the location indeed declared a protected place under the relevant Order? Did the person possess the correct pass-card/permit issued by the specified authority? If not, did they obtain permission from an authorised officer on duty?
For practitioners advising clients—whether individuals, employers, or contractors—the Order has immediate operational implications. Organisations that operate within or adjacent to protected premises should ensure that their access-control processes align with the legal requirements. This includes maintaining accurate records of pass-card/permit issuance, ensuring that authorised officers are properly designated and available to grant permission, and training staff and contractors on the consequences of entering without authorisation.
Finally, because the Order is “current version as at 27 March 2026” (per the extract), counsel should confirm whether there have been amendments, replacements, or revocations affecting the premises listed in the Schedule. Even where the extract shows only two sections, the Schedule may be updated over time by subsequent Orders. Practitioners should therefore use the legislation timeline to verify the correct version applicable to the relevant date of the conduct.
Related Legislation
- Protected Areas and Protected Places Act (Chapter 256) — the authorising Act and the main source of offences, enforcement powers, and legal consequences.
- Protected Places Orders (including other “Protected Places (No. …) Orders”) — which may designate different premises under the same statutory framework.
- Legislation timeline / amendments for SL 403/2006 — to confirm the version and any changes affecting the Schedule.
Source Documents
This article provides an overview of the Protected Places (No. 12) Order 2006 for legal research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the official text for authoritative provisions.