Statute Details
- Title: Requisition of Resources (No. 2) Order 2018
- Act Code: RRA1985-S131-2018
- Type: Subsidiary Legislation (SL)
- Authorising Act: Requisition of Resources Act (Chapter 273)
- Enacting Authority: Minister for Defence
- Enacting Formula (power source): Powers conferred by section 2 of the Requisition of Resources Act
- Legislation Number: SL 131/2018
- Date of making: 11 January 2018
- Citation: Requisition of Resources (No. 2) Order 2018
- Key operative provision: Commencement and duration of Part III of the Act
- Status: Current version as at 27 Mar 2026 (per the legislation portal)
What Is This Legislation About?
The Requisition of Resources (No. 2) Order 2018 is a short but legally significant instrument. In substance, it does not create a new regulatory scheme by itself; instead, it activates an existing statutory regime under the Requisition of Resources Act (Cap. 273). Specifically, the Order brings Part III of the Act into operation and keeps it in force for a defined period.
In plain language, the Requisition of Resources framework is designed to give the Government legal tools to secure “resources” when national circumstances require it—such as during emergencies or other situations where the State must ensure continuity of essential services and capabilities. The Order is one of the mechanisms by which the Government can “switch on” the relevant powers in the Act.
Because this Order is focused on commencement, it is best understood as an activation order rather than a comprehensive set of substantive rules. For practitioners, the key legal question is therefore not “what new obligations are created by the Order?”, but rather “what powers are contained in Part III of the Act, and what legal effect does this Order have on their timing and applicability?”
What Are the Key Provisions?
Section 1 (Citation) provides the formal name of the instrument: the Requisition of Resources (No. 2) Order 2018. This is standard drafting, but it matters for legal referencing, especially when advising on compliance, litigation, or administrative action taken under the Act.
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 10 March 2018. The wording “come into and remain in operation” indicates that the Order is not merely a one-day commencement; it is intended to ensure that Part III is effective from the specified date and continues to operate thereafter (subject to any later amendments, revocation, or further commencement orders under the Act’s scheme).
From a legal practice perspective, the practical effect is that once Part III is in operation, the Minister (and/or other authorised persons under the Act) may exercise the powers contained in Part III. Those powers typically relate to the requisition of resources—meaning the State can require certain resources (for example, property, services, or other assets) to be made available for public purposes, often with statutory safeguards such as compensation or procedural requirements (depending on the detailed provisions of Part III).
Enacting formula and authorisation are also important. The Order is made “in exercise of the powers conferred by section 2 of the Requisition of Resources Act.” This signals that the Act itself provides the legal authority for the Minister to determine when Part III should be brought into operation. For lawyers, this is crucial for validity analysis: if an activation order is challenged, the question will likely be whether the Minister acted within the statutory power and whether the commencement date and procedural requirements were satisfied.
Although the extract provided contains only sections 1 and 2, the legal consequences are not limited to the text of the Order. The Order functions as a gateway to Part III. Therefore, to advise accurately, counsel must read Part III of the Requisition of Resources Act alongside this Order and determine: (i) who may requisition; (ii) what categories of resources may be requisitioned; (iii) what notice or procedural steps are required; (iv) whether compensation is payable and how it is calculated; and (v) what enforcement or dispute mechanisms exist.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
This instrument is structured in a conventional subsidiary-legislation format with a short enacting formula and numbered provisions.
Section 1 is a citation provision. Section 2 is the only substantive operative clause in the extract and sets the commencement effect for Part III of the Act. There are no schedules or detailed procedural rules in the Order itself; instead, the Order relies on the underlying Act for the substantive requisition framework.
In practice, the “structure” that matters to a practitioner is the relationship between the Order and the Act: the Order is a commencement/activation instrument, while the Act (particularly Part III) contains the substantive legal powers and obligations. Accordingly, when preparing advice, pleadings, or compliance checklists, lawyers should treat the Order and Part III as a combined legal package.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
The Order itself is directed at the operation of Part III of the Act. However, the real-world applicability is to persons and entities whose resources may fall within the scope of Part III. This can include owners, operators, suppliers, and other stakeholders who control relevant resources that the State may need to requisition.
Because the extract does not specify the categories of resources, the scope must be determined by reading Part III of the Requisition of Resources Act. Typically, such legislation is drafted broadly enough to cover resources necessary for public purposes, and it may include both tangible assets and services. Practitioners advising businesses should therefore conduct a mapping exercise: identify whether the company controls any resources that could be characterised as within Part III’s requisition categories, and then assess the company’s obligations once Part III is in operation.
Additionally, the Order is relevant to public authorities and decision-makers who may exercise requisition powers. Their actions must be anchored in the statutory authority activated by the Order. If a requisition action is taken after the commencement date, it will likely be treated as authorised under Part III (assuming all other statutory conditions are met).
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Although the Order is brief, it is legally important because it determines when the State’s requisition powers under Part III become effective. Timing matters in administrative law and in any dispute about legality: if requisition powers were exercised before Part III was properly in operation, the action could be challenged as ultra vires or procedurally defective.
For practitioners, the Order is also important for risk management and compliance planning. Businesses that may be requisitioned need to understand not only the substantive requisition rules but also the circumstances under which those rules can be activated. Even if requisition is rare, the legal consequences can be significant—affecting contractual arrangements, operational continuity, staffing, and financial exposure (including compensation and reimbursement issues, if provided by the Act).
From an enforcement and litigation standpoint, this Order provides a clear documentary basis for the commencement of Part III on 10 March 2018. In disputes—such as challenges to requisition decisions, claims for compensation, or judicial review—parties often need to establish the legal status of the enabling provisions at the relevant time. This Order is therefore a key piece of evidence for the “legal framework in force” on and after the commencement date.
Finally, the Order illustrates how Singapore’s requisition regime operates through subsidiary legislation that activates specific parts of a parent Act. This is a common legislative technique in emergency or contingency frameworks: it allows the Government to calibrate legal powers to circumstances, while keeping the substantive powers within the Act itself.
Related Legislation
- Requisition of Resources Act (Chapter 273) (including Part III, which is activated by this Order)
- Requisition of Resources (Timeline / Legislation timeline) (for version control and confirmation of the operative commencement date and current status)
Source Documents
This article provides an overview of the Requisition of Resources (No. 2) Order 2018 for legal research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the official text for authoritative provisions.