Statute Details
- Title: Requisition of Resources (No. 2) Order 2016
- Act Code: RRA1985-S345-2016
- Legislation Type: Subsidiary Legislation (SL)
- Authorising Act: Requisition of Resources Act (Chapter 273)
- Enacting Formula / Power Used: Powers conferred by section 2 of the Requisition of Resources Act
- SL Number: SL 345/2016
- Date Made: 20 July 2016
- Commencement / Date of Requisition: Provisions of Part III of the Act to come into and remain in operation on 22 July 2016
- Status: Current version as at 27 Mar 2026
What Is This Legislation About?
The Requisition of Resources (No. 2) Order 2016 is a short but legally significant instrument. In plain terms, it activates a specific portion of Singapore’s Requisition of Resources Act (Chapter 273)—namely Part III—for a defined period starting on 22 July 2016. The Order does not itself set out detailed requisition procedures; instead, it “turns on” the operative machinery contained in the parent Act.
Singapore’s Requisition of Resources framework is designed for situations where the Government may need to secure resources quickly—such as during emergencies, national security events, or other circumstances contemplated by the Act. When the relevant parts of the Act are brought into force, the State gains legal authority to requisition (that is, take or control) resources that may be needed for public purposes.
Accordingly, the practical effect of the Order is to inform affected parties—owners, operators, and those who control relevant resources—that the legal regime in Part III is active. Once active, the rights and obligations created by Part III become enforceable, and compliance becomes mandatory for those within the scope of the Act’s requisition powers.
What Are the Key Provisions?
Section 1 (Citation) provides the formal name of the instrument: Requisition of Resources (No. 2) Order 2016. While this is standard drafting, it matters for legal referencing, especially when advising clients on whether a particular activation order applies to them.
Section 2 (Date of requisition) is the operative provision. It states that the provisions of Part III of the Act are to come into and remain in operation on 22 July 2016. The wording “come into and remain in operation” indicates that Part III is not merely temporarily activated for a single day; rather, it is brought into force and continues to operate from that date (subject to any later amendments, revocations, or subsequent orders under the Act’s framework).
From a practitioner’s perspective, the key legal takeaway is that this Order functions as a trigger for Part III. The Order itself is brief because the substantive requisition powers, procedural steps, and enforcement mechanisms are located in the Requisition of Resources Act. Therefore, to advise accurately, counsel must read this Order together with Part III of the Act.
Enacting authority and making date also carry interpretive value. The Order is made by the Minister for Defence in exercise of powers under section 2 of the Act. It is made on 20 July 2016 and specifies that Part III comes into operation on 22 July 2016. This two-day gap is typical: it allows administrative preparation and notice, while still ensuring rapid activation when needed. For legal compliance, the relevant date is the commencement date stated in section 2—22 July 2016.
Finally, the document includes an administrative signature by NG CHEE KHERN, Permanent Secretary (Defence Development), Ministry of Defence. While the signature block is not a substantive legal provision, it confirms the official character of the instrument and supports its validity as subsidiary legislation.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
This Order is structured as a very concise subsidiary instrument with only two numbered provisions:
(1) Citation — identifies the Order.
(2) Date of requisition — activates Part III of the Requisition of Resources Act for operation starting on 22 July 2016.
There are no schedules, definitions, or procedural rules in the Order itself. Instead, the structure reflects its function as an activation order. The deeper legal architecture—what “requisition” means, who may requisition, what resources may be requisitioned, how notices are served, what compensation may be available, and what offences or enforcement provisions apply—will be found in the parent Act, particularly Part III.
In practice, therefore, the “structure” that matters to lawyers is not the Order’s internal layout (which is minimal), but the relationship between the Order and the Act. The Order is best understood as a gateway that brings Part III into force.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
The Order applies to persons and entities whose resources fall within the ambit of Part III of the Requisition of Resources Act once that Part is in operation. Although the Order text does not list categories of affected parties, requisition regimes typically concern owners, occupiers, operators, and persons in possession or control of resources that the Government may need for public purposes.
Accordingly, the practical scope is determined by the definitions and operative provisions in Part III of the Act. For example, if Part III covers particular classes of resources (such as services, equipment, facilities, or other assets), then the Order effectively notifies those who control such resources that the Government’s requisition powers are active from 22 July 2016.
From a legal advisory standpoint, counsel should treat the Order as relevant to any client who: (i) owns or operates potentially requisitionable resources; (ii) may be required to comply with requisition notices or directions; or (iii) may seek compensation or other remedies under the Act once requisition powers are exercised.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Even though the Requisition of Resources (No. 2) Order 2016 is brief, it is important because it determines when the State’s requisition powers under Part III become legally effective. In emergency or defence-related contexts, timing is critical. The Order provides the legal basis for activating the requisition regime on a specific date—22 July 2016—ensuring that the Government can act with statutory authority rather than relying on informal arrangements.
For practitioners, the Order is also important for compliance and risk management. Once Part III is in operation, affected parties may face obligations to cooperate with requisition processes, respond to notices, and maintain or make available resources as required. Failure to comply could expose parties to legal consequences under the Act’s enforcement provisions (again, located in Part III and related sections of the parent Act).
Additionally, the Order is relevant for contracting and operational planning. Businesses that provide services or control assets that could be requisitioned may need to review their contingency arrangements, internal decision-making processes, and documentation. Where requisition leads to loss or disruption, the Act’s compensation framework (if any) becomes a key issue. The Order itself does not address compensation; it simply activates the Part of the Act where such matters are typically regulated.
Finally, the “No. 2” designation suggests that there may have been earlier activation orders (e.g., a “No. 1” order) or subsequent orders. This matters for historical analysis and for determining the exact legal regime applicable at a particular time. If a dispute arises about requisition actions taken around July 2016, the existence and commencement date of this Order may be central to establishing whether Part III was in force when the actions occurred.
Related Legislation
- Requisition of Resources Act (Chapter 273) — the parent Act; this Order activates Part III under the powers in section 2.
- Requisition of Resources Act (Timeline / Legislation Timeline) — useful for confirming the correct version of the Act and the status of Part III at relevant dates.
Source Documents
This article provides an overview of the Requisition of Resources (No. 2) Order 2016 for legal research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the official text for authoritative provisions.