Statute Details
- Title: Requisition of Resources (No. 2) Order 2018
- Act Code: RRA1985-S131-2018
- Legislation 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
- SL Citation: SL 131/2018
- Date of Making: 11 January 2018
- Date of Requisition / Commencement Trigger: Part III of the Act to come into and remain in operation on 10 March 2018
- Status: Current version as at 27 Mar 2026
What Is This Legislation About?
The Requisition of Resources (No. 2) Order 2018 is a short but legally significant instrument. In substance, it activates a specific portion of the parent statute—the Requisition of Resources Act (Chapter 273)—by bringing “Part III” of that Act into operation on a specified date. The Order does not itself create a new regulatory scheme from scratch; rather, it operates as a commencement and activation mechanism for the powers and obligations already contained in the Requisition of Resources Act.
In plain language, the Requisition of Resources Act provides a legal framework for the Government to requisition (that is, take or control) resources—typically in situations where national defence or security needs require rapid mobilisation. The 2018 Order is one of the instruments used to determine when those requisition powers in Part III become effective. The “(No. 2)” indicates that this is the second such order in a series, reflecting that the Government may activate requisition powers at different times or under different circumstances.
Practitioners should view this Order as a procedural/legal “switch” that turns on Part III of the Act. Once Part III is in operation, the detailed requisition powers, processes, and consequences set out in the parent Act become applicable. The Order’s legal effect therefore depends on the content of Part III of the Requisition of Resources Act, even though the Order itself contains only two operative provisions.
What Are the Key Provisions?
Section 1 (Citation). The Order is formally identified as the “Requisition of Resources (No. 2) Order 2018.” This provision is standard in Singapore subsidiary legislation and primarily serves citation and referencing purposes for legal documents, pleadings, and compliance materials.
Section 2 (Date of requisition / commencement of Part III). This is the operative core of the Order. It provides that “the provisions of Part III of the Act are to come into and remain in operation on 10 March 2018.” Two points matter for practitioners.
First, the Order specifies a precise date—10 March 2018—on which Part III becomes effective. This is crucial because requisition powers and any associated duties (for example, obligations of persons or entities to comply with requisition directions) typically only apply once the relevant part of the Act is in force. If Part III were not activated, the Government could not rely on those Part III powers.
Second, the Order states that Part III is to “come into and remain in operation” (rather than being limited to a short period). That wording indicates continuity: once Part III is activated on 10 March 2018, it remains in operation unless and until it is later modified, revoked, or replaced by subsequent legislation or orders. From a compliance perspective, this “remain in operation” language suggests that affected parties should treat Part III as persistently applicable from that date forward.
Enacting formula and making date. The enacting formula states that the Minister for Defence makes the Order in exercise of powers conferred by section 2 of the Requisition of Resources Act. The Order is “Made on 11 January 2018,” which is earlier than the commencement date (10 March 2018). This timing is typical: the Government can prepare and publish the commencement order in advance so that affected parties and administrative agencies can plan for the activation of requisition powers.
Practical legal consequence. Although the extract provided contains only the citation and commencement provisions, the legal consequence is substantial: once Part III is in operation, the Government may exercise the requisition-related powers contained in Part III. Lawyers advising government agencies, regulated entities, or individuals should therefore treat this Order as the legal trigger for Part III’s operation and then consult the substantive provisions of Part III of the Requisition of Resources Act to determine the exact scope of powers, procedures, and rights (including any compensation mechanisms, notice requirements, or enforcement consequences) that apply.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
This subsidiary legislation is structured in a minimal, two-section format typical of commencement orders. The structure is as follows:
(1) Section 1: Citation—identifies the instrument as the “Requisition of Resources (No. 2) Order 2018.”
(2) Section 2: Date of requisition—provides the commencement and continuing operation of Part III of the Requisition of Resources Act on 10 March 2018.
Beyond these sections, the Order includes the enacting formula, the making date, and the signature block (Permanent Secretary (Defence Development), Ministry of Defence). The Order does not contain schedules, definitions, or procedural rules; those are located in the parent Act (Chapter 273), particularly in Part III.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
The Order itself is directed to the legal effect of Part III of the Requisition of Resources Act. Therefore, its “applicability” is best understood by reference to who is covered by Part III of the parent Act. In general terms, requisition legislation of this type is intended to bind persons and entities that may hold, control, or be able to provide relevant resources—such as businesses, operators, and other stakeholders whose assets or services could be requisitioned for defence-related purposes.
Accordingly, the Order is relevant to:
- Government and defence-related agencies that must determine whether Part III powers are available and whether requisition actions can be taken;
- Resource holders (e.g., companies or organisations) that may be subject to requisition directions once Part III is in force;
- Legal advisers and compliance teams who need to assess whether internal policies, contracts, and operational readiness must account for the possibility of requisition under Part III; and
- Potential claimants or affected parties who may have rights or remedies under the parent Act once requisition measures are exercised.
Because the Order activates Part III “to come into and remain in operation,” its effect is not limited to a single event or short window. Instead, it creates a continuing legal environment in which Part III powers may be used from 10 March 2018 onwards, subject to the substantive conditions and procedures in the parent Act.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Even though the Requisition of Resources (No. 2) Order 2018 is brief, it is important because it determines the legal availability of coercive defence-related powers. In requisition regimes, timing is everything: the Government’s ability to requisition resources, and the corresponding duties or exposure of affected parties, typically depends on whether the relevant part of the Act has been brought into force.
From a practitioner’s perspective, the Order is a key document for establishing the legal basis for any requisition action taken after 10 March 2018. In disputes—whether administrative challenges, contractual disputes, or claims relating to compensation or compliance—parties often need to prove that the statutory powers relied upon were actually in force at the relevant time. This Order provides that proof for Part III’s activation date.
Additionally, the “remain in operation” wording has operational and risk-management implications. Businesses and other resource holders should not assume that requisition powers are dormant after a particular date. Instead, they should treat Part III as potentially applicable continuously from 10 March 2018, and they should monitor for any later orders that might amend, revoke, or replace the activation.
Finally, the Order illustrates how Singapore’s legislative framework uses subsidiary legislation to manage readiness and responsiveness. Rather than permanently activating all requisition powers at all times, the Government can activate specific parts of the Act when needed. This approach balances preparedness with legal certainty, ensuring that the most intrusive powers are only available when formally brought into operation.
Related Legislation
- Requisition of Resources Act (Chapter 273) — the parent Act; Part III contains the substantive requisition powers and related procedures.
- Requisition of Resources (No. 1) Order (if applicable in the legislative timeline) — likely another commencement order activating Part III or another part of the Act.
- Legislation Timeline / Revisions — for confirming the correct version and any subsequent amendments or replacement orders affecting the operation of Part III.
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.