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 Formula (power used): Powers conferred by section 2 of the Requisition of Resources Act
- Key Provisions (from extract): Section 1 (Citation); Section 2 (Date of requisition / commencement of Part III)
- Legislative Instrument Number: SL 131/2018
- Made on: 11 January 2018
- Status: Current version as at 27 Mar 2026 (per the legislation portal)
- Commencement / operational date (per Section 2): 10 March 2018 (for Part III of the Act)
What Is This Legislation About?
The Requisition of Resources (No. 2) Order 2018 is a short but legally significant subsidiary instrument made under Singapore’s Requisition of Resources Act (Cap. 273). In plain terms, it is an administrative/legal “switch” that brings a specific part of the parent Act into force on a specified date.
Although the Order itself contains only two operative provisions in the extract, its effect is substantial: it provides that the provisions of Part III of the Requisition of Resources Act are to come into and remain in operation on 10 March 2018. Once Part III is in operation, the underlying statutory powers and mechanisms in that Part become available to the relevant authorities for the purposes contemplated by the Act.
Practitioners should view this Order not as creating a new regime from scratch, but as activating an existing legal framework. The Requisition of Resources Act is designed to enable the State, particularly in times of national need, to secure access to resources and services. The Order therefore functions as a timing instrument—confirming when the requisition powers in Part III become operational.
What Are the Key Provisions?
Section 1 (Citation) provides the formal name of the instrument: “Requisition of Resources (No. 2) Order 2018.” This is standard drafting, but it matters for legal referencing, filing, and ensuring that the correct subsidiary legislation is cited in submissions, notices, and compliance documentation.
Section 2 (Date of requisition) is the core 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 phrase “come into and remain in operation” indicates that Part III is not merely temporarily activated for a short window; rather, it is brought into effect and continues to operate (subject to any later amendments, revocation, or other statutory mechanisms that may affect operation).
From a practitioner’s perspective, the legal significance lies in what Part III of the parent Act authorises. While the extract does not reproduce Part III, the structure of the Requisition of Resources Act (Cap. 273) indicates that Part III contains the operative requisition-related powers—i.e., the mechanisms by which the State can require resources (and potentially related services) from persons or entities within Singapore. Once Part III is in operation, the authorities can rely on those powers in accordance with the Act’s conditions, procedures, and safeguards.
It is also important to note the making date and operational date. The Order was made on 11 January 2018, but Part III is to come into operation on 10 March 2018. This gap is typical: it allows administrative preparation and provides notice to affected stakeholders that the requisition regime will become active on a future date. In practice, this can affect planning for regulated entities, contractors, logistics providers, and other resource holders who may be exposed to requisition orders once Part III is active.
Finally, the enacting formula confirms the legal basis: the Minister for Defence makes the Order in exercise of powers conferred by section 2 of the Requisition of Resources Act. This is relevant for validity and for any challenge that might arise. If a party were to contest the activation of Part III, the question would likely focus on whether the Minister had the statutory authority under section 2 and whether the Order complied with the procedural and substantive requirements of the parent Act.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
The Requisition of Resources (No. 2) Order 2018 is structured as a very brief subsidiary instrument with at least the following elements:
(1) Enacting formula: identifies the enabling power (section 2 of the Requisition of Resources Act) and the maker (the Minister for Defence).
(2) Section 1 (Citation): provides the short title for referencing.
(3) Section 2 (Date of requisition): the operative clause that activates Part III of the parent Act on a specified date and keeps it in operation.
There are no schedules or detailed procedural provisions in the extract because the Order’s function is limited to commencement/activation. The substantive requisition procedures, rights, obligations, and enforcement consequences are located in the Requisition of Resources Act itself—particularly in Part III.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
While the Order does not expressly list categories of persons, it applies by operation of the parent Act once Part III is brought into force. Accordingly, it affects persons and entities who may fall within the scope of Part III’s requisition powers—typically those who hold, control, or are able to provide the relevant “resources” or related capabilities contemplated by the Act.
In practical terms, this may include businesses involved in supply chains, logistics, manufacturing, utilities, transport, communications, and other sectors that could be characterised as “resources” under the Act. The exact scope depends on how the parent Act defines the relevant terms and how Part III structures requisition orders, notices, and compliance obligations.
Because the Order is an activation instrument, it is not limited to a specific event or project in the text provided. Instead, it establishes that Part III is operational from 10 March 2018 and remains so. Therefore, the obligations and exposure to requisition-related processes would apply to relevant stakeholders from that date onward, subject to any later legal changes.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Although the Requisition of Resources (No. 2) Order 2018 is short, it is important because it determines when a potentially far-reaching legal regime becomes available to the State. Requisition powers can affect contractual arrangements, operational continuity, and property or service availability. For lawyers advising affected organisations, knowing the activation date of Part III is essential for risk assessment, compliance planning, and advising on potential disputes.
From an enforcement and governance perspective, the Order demonstrates how Singapore’s requisition framework is managed through subsidiary instruments. The parent Act provides the legal machinery, while Orders like this one control the timing of activation. This approach can support administrative flexibility—allowing the State to bring certain powers into operation when needed, while keeping the legal framework ready.
For practitioners, the key practical impact is that once Part III is in operation, affected parties may need to respond to requisition-related communications, prepare for possible compliance actions, and consider how the Act addresses issues such as procedural fairness, compensation (if provided), and the handling of disputes. Even if the Order itself does not contain those details, it is the legal trigger that activates the underlying rights and obligations in Part III.
Finally, the Order’s “current version” status as at 27 March 2026 indicates that the instrument remains part of the active legal landscape in the legislation database. Practitioners should therefore ensure they consult the correct version and cross-check whether Part III remains in operation or whether subsequent orders have modified or superseded the activation.
Related Legislation
- Requisition of Resources Act (Chapter 273) — the parent Act that contains Part III and the enabling provision (section 2) relied upon by this Order.
- Requisition of Resources (Timeline / Legislation Timeline) — the portal timeline referenced in the extract, used to confirm the correct version and the date of the instrument (e.g., SL 131/2018 dated 09 Mar 2018 in the portal timeline, with the Order made on 11 January 2018).
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.