Statute Details
- Title: Requisition of Resources Act 1985 (RRA1985)
- Full Title: An Act to provide for the requisition of resources for defence and other purposes; and to provide for the payment of compensation in respect of the exercise of the powers conferred by this Act and for matters connected therewith.
- Legislative Status: Current version as at 27 Mar 2026
- Revised Edition: 2020 Revised Edition (in operation from 31 Dec 2021)
- Commencement: Part 3 is not automatic; it is brought into operation by Ministerial order (see s 2)
- Key Parts: Part 1 (Preliminary); Part 2 (Administration); Part 3 (Requisitioning of property and services); Part 4 (Rights to and assessment of compensation); Part 5 (Compensation Boards); Part 6 (Miscellaneous and supplementary)
- Key Provisions (by topic): s 2 (bringing Part 3 into operation); s 4–7 (administration and authorised officers); ss 8–17 (requisition powers); ss 18–28 (compensation framework); ss 29–35 (Compensation Boards and dispute resolution); ss 36–48 (supplementary matters including offences and regulations)
- Related Legislation (as indicated): Civil Defence Act 1986; Infectious Diseases Act 1976; Resources Act 1985; Singapore Armed Forces Act 1972
What Is This Legislation About?
The Requisition of Resources Act 1985 (“RRA”) provides a legal mechanism for the Government to take control of private property and obtain private services when required for defence, public safety, disaster response, or other specified national needs. In practical terms, it enables the State to “requisition” (that is, take possession of or direct use of) land, vehicles, vessels, aircraft, goods, and services—often at short notice—so that essential operations can continue.
Because requisition can impose real burdens on individuals and businesses, the Act also establishes a structured compensation regime. It sets out what compensation is payable, how it is assessed, and how disputes are resolved through Compensation Boards. This is a key feature: the Act is not merely about taking resources; it is about doing so lawfully and with a defined route to compensation.
Finally, the Act is designed to be “triggered” rather than permanently active in full. In particular, Part 3 (which contains the operational requisition powers) does not come into force automatically. Instead, it is brought into operation by Ministerial order for a defined period, subject to safeguards (including Presidential approval for longer durations). This structure reflects the balance between emergency powers and legal certainty.
What Are the Key Provisions?
1) Bringing Part 3 into operation (s 2)
A central procedural safeguard is that Part 3 does not come into operation except as provided in s 2. The Minister may issue an order when it appears necessary for securing public safety or defence, maintaining supplies and services essential to the life of the community, or conducting exercises for those purposes. The order can specify which provisions of Part 3 apply and the period for which they remain in operation.
Importantly, an order cannot generally remain in force for more than 7 days from commencement unless made with the approval of the President. This means requisition powers are time-bound and subject to heightened oversight for extended activation. For practitioners, this is often the first issue to check in any requisition-related dispute: whether the correct Part 3 provisions were validly activated and for the relevant period.
2) Administration: competent authority and authorised officers (ss 4–7)
The Act vests operational authority in a “competent authority” appointed under s 4 and empowers “authorised officers” under s 5. The Act also provides for authorised officers to be deemed public servants (s 6) and includes a mechanism for an authorised officer to declare office (s 7). These provisions matter for legality and evidential issues: they support the validity of actions taken by officials and help ensure that requisition notices and directions are issued by properly appointed persons.
3) Requisitioning of land and related powers (ss 8–11)
Part 3 begins with land. Under s 8, the competent authority may take possession of land. Section 9 addresses use of land by the armed forces and the civil defence force, reflecting the Act’s defence and emergency-response orientation. Section 10 provides a “power to do work on land,” which is crucial where the State needs to modify or prepare land for operational use (for example, for installations, temporary structures, or other defence/public safety functions).
Section 11 provides for entry and inspection of land. This is a practical enabling power: before requisitioning or deciding how to use land, officials must be able to inspect and assess it. For lawyers, these provisions raise typical administrative law questions: whether entry/inspection was necessary, whether it was carried out by authorised officers, and whether procedural requirements were met.
4) Requisitioning property other than land; vehicles, vessels, aircraft, and goods (ss 12–15)
Section 12 covers requisitioning of property other than land. The Act then includes specific operational provisions for vehicles, vessels, and aircraft. Section 13 sets the period for which such assets are to be requisitioned, which ties back to the time-limited nature of Part 3 activation and the need for proportionality.
Section 14 requires that a requisitioned vehicle, vessel, or aircraft be kept in good order pending delivery to the competent authority. This is an important protection for owners and operators: it implies a duty of care during the interim period and supports compensation claims if damage occurs.
Section 15 provides “special powers as to ships and aircraft,” recognising that these assets may require particular handling due to navigation, operational safety, and regulatory constraints. Practitioners should expect that disputes about requisitioned ships/aircraft will often turn on operational instructions and the standard of care applied during requisition.
5) Work directions and undertakings (ss 16–17)
Sections 16 and 17 extend beyond taking possession. Under s 16, the competent authority may require undertakings to carry out work. Under s 17, it may direct persons to carry out work in a disaster, etc. This is significant because it allows the State to compel performance of certain tasks (or obtain commitments) rather than merely seize assets. In practice, this can affect contractors, facility operators, and individuals with relevant skills or resources.
For legal advisers, these provisions are often where liability and compliance issues arise: what exactly was directed, whether the direction was within the scope of the activated Part 3 provisions, and whether the person directed had the capacity to comply. These facts can also influence compensation assessments and any dispute about whether the requisitioning was properly exercised.
6) Compensation framework (Part 4: ss 18–28)
Part 4 sets out the Act’s compensation architecture. Section 18 provides for “compensation under this Act,” establishing that compensation is payable for the exercise of requisition powers. Sections 19–23 break down compensation into categories: taking possession of land (s 19), doing work on land (s 20), requisition or acquisition of vehicles/vessels/aircraft (s 21), taking space or accommodation in ships/aircraft (s 22), and requisition or acquisition of goods other than vessels/vehicles/aircraft (s 23).
Sections 24 and 25 address how compensation interacts with property interests such as hire-purchase agreements and mortgages/pledges. This is critical for secured lenders and lessors: the Act anticipates that requisition may affect parties beyond the immediate owner, and it provides a mechanism to allocate compensation appropriately.
Section 26 provides for compensation to other persons interested in property requisitioned. Section 27 addresses compensation in respect of requisition of services. Section 28 requires receipt of, and notification of damage to, property requisitioned or acquired. This last provision is particularly important for claims: if damage occurs, the owner/operator must comply with notification and evidence requirements to preserve compensation rights.
7) Dispute resolution: Compensation Boards (Part 5: ss 29–35)
If there is a dispute on compensation, s 29 requires that it be referred to a Compensation Board for determination. Section 30 provides for the constitution of the Compensation Board. Section 31 states that the member of the Compensation Board and its proceedings are deemed to be public servant and judicial proceedings respectively—an important legal status provision that supports procedural fairness and protects the integrity of the process.
Section 33 sets out proceedings before the Compensation Board, while s 34 provides that the Board’s decision is final. Section 35 allows the Board to state a special case for decision of the General Division of the High Court. Practitioners should note the “finality” of the Board’s decision: judicial review or appeals may be limited, so the Compensation Board process must be treated as the primary forum for evidential presentation and legal argument on compensation.
8) Supplementary provisions: manpower register, records, arrest, offences (Part 6)
Part 6 includes additional tools and safeguards. Section 37 establishes a manpower register, and s 38 allows the competent authority to require undertakings to furnish returns—both of which support readiness and planning for requisition scenarios. Section 39 deals with modifications to vehicles/vessels/aircraft for defence and public safety purposes, and s 40 provides for record and inspection of vehicles, etc.
Section 41 covers orders, notices and requisitions. Section 42 addresses vehicles used for purposes of the Act. Section 43 provides for liability of Government for a person ordered to carry out work, which is relevant where individuals are compelled to act. Section 44 provides powers of arrest, reflecting the Act’s enforcement dimension. Sections 45–46A create offences, including offences by bodies corporate and by unincorporated associations or partnerships. Finally, s 47 addresses jurisdiction of District and Magistrate’s Courts, and s 48 provides for regulations.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
The RRA is structured in six Parts. Part 1 contains preliminary provisions, including the short title and the critical mechanism for bringing Part 3 into operation (s 2). Part 2 sets up the administrative machinery: competent authority and authorised officers. Part 3 contains the operational requisition powers (land, other property, services, entry/inspection, and directions). Part 4 establishes the compensation entitlements and categories. Part 5 provides the dispute mechanism through Compensation Boards, including their composition, procedure, and finality of decisions. Part 6 contains miscellaneous and supplementary provisions, including record-keeping, manpower planning, enforcement (including offences and arrest powers), and regulation-making authority.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
The Act applies to situations where the Minister has validly brought Part 3 into operation and where the competent authority exercises requisition powers. The direct beneficiaries of the requisition powers are the armed forces and the civil defence force, but the Act also extends to other defence and public safety purposes and to maintaining essential supplies and services.
As to persons affected, the Act can apply to owners and occupiers of land, owners/operators of vehicles, vessels, and aircraft, holders of goods, and persons who may be directed to carry out work or provide services. It also contemplates third-party interests (such as mortgagees, pledgees, and hire-purchase parties), ensuring that compensation can be allocated to those with legally relevant interests in requisitioned property.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
The RRA is a foundational “emergency logistics” statute. It gives the Government a legally authorised way to secure resources quickly—without waiting for voluntary arrangements—while still providing a compensation framework that protects property rights and commercial interests. For practitioners, this is not merely a theoretical defence law instrument; it can directly affect property owners, transport operators, maritime and aviation stakeholders, and businesses that may be required to provide services or undertake work.
From an enforcement and dispute perspective, the Act’s most practical value lies in its combination of (i) time-limited activation of requisition powers, (ii) defined categories of compensation, and (iii) a specialised tribunal process through Compensation Boards. The finality of Compensation Board decisions (subject to the special case mechanism) means that parties must prepare their evidence and legal submissions carefully at the Board stage.
Finally, the Act’s interaction with other regimes (notably civil defence and infectious disease emergency frameworks) underscores that requisition powers may be deployed in different types of crises. Lawyers advising clients in contingency planning should therefore treat the RRA as part of a broader emergency legal landscape, ensuring that contracts, insurance arrangements, and internal compliance processes can respond to requisition notices, undertakings, and damage notification requirements.
Related Legislation
- Civil Defence Act 1986
- Infectious Diseases Act 1976
- Resources Act 1985
- Singapore Armed Forces Act 1972
Source Documents
This article provides an overview of the Requisition of Resources Act 1985 for legal research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the official text for authoritative provisions.