Statute Details
- Title: Requisition of Resources (No. 2) Order 2019
- Act Code: RRA1985-S114-2019
- Legislation Type: Subsidiary Legislation (SL)
- Authorising Act: Requisition of Resources Act (Chapter 273)
- Enacting Formula (Power Source): Powers conferred by section 2 of the Requisition of Resources Act
- Key Provisions (from extract): Section 1 (Citation); Section 2 (Date of requisition / commencement and duration)
- Date Made: 15 January 2019
- Commencement / Operational Date (Part III): 23 February 2019
- Duration: Part III is to “come into and remain in operation” from 23 February 2019 (until further legal change)
- Status: Current version as at 27 Mar 2026 (per the legislation portal)
What Is This Legislation About?
The Requisition of Resources (No. 2) Order 2019 is a short but legally significant instrument made under Singapore’s Requisition of Resources Act (Cap. 273). In plain terms, it activates a specific portion of the Act—namely Part III—for a defined period starting on a particular date.
Requisition regimes are typically designed for national preparedness. They provide the legal machinery for the State to secure essential resources when required, such as during emergencies or periods of heightened national need. This Order does not itself list the resources to be requisitioned or the procedures in detail; instead, it turns on the operational provisions contained in Part III of the parent Act.
Accordingly, the practical effect of this Order is to ensure that the legal powers and processes in Part III are available and enforceable from 23 February 2019. For practitioners, the key is that the Order functions as a commencement and continuation instrument: it determines when Part III begins to apply and that it remains in operation thereafter.
What Are the Key Provisions?
Section 1 (Citation) is a standard provision identifying the instrument. It states that the Order may be cited as the Requisition of Resources (No. 2) Order 2019. While not substantive, citation provisions are important for legal referencing, pleading, and compliance documentation.
Section 2 (Date of requisition) is the core operative clause in the extract. It provides that “the provisions of Part III of the Act are to come into and remain in operation on 23 February 2019.” This language does two things:
- Commencement: Part III becomes legally operative on 23 February 2019.
- Continuing effect: Part III is not merely temporary for a short window; it is to “remain in operation” from that date. In practice, this means the State can rely on Part III powers for requisition-related purposes unless and until the legal framework is altered by a subsequent order or amendment.
Because the extract does not reproduce Part III itself, a practitioner should treat this Order as a gateway to the substantive requisition powers. The Order’s legal significance lies in its activation of the Act’s Part III regime. The details of what can be requisitioned, who may requisition, how notices are served, compensation (if any), and enforcement mechanisms are likely contained in Part III of the Requisition of Resources Act (Cap. 273). The Order ensures those provisions are “live” and enforceable.
Enacting formula and making authority: The Order is made “in exercise of the powers conferred by section 2 of the Requisition of Resources Act” by the Minister for Defence. The making date is 15 January 2019, while the operational date for Part III is 23 February 2019. This gap is typical: it allows administrative preparation and public/legal readiness before the requisition powers take effect.
For legal work, it is also important to note the instrument’s numbering: it is (No. 2). This suggests there may have been an earlier requisition order (or earlier activation of Part III) and that the State is issuing a second order to manage the timing and scope of Part III’s operation. Practitioners should therefore check whether there is a Requisition of Resources (No. 1) Order or other related instruments that may affect the continuity, overlap, or interpretation of Part III’s activation.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
This Order is structured in a minimal, two-section format, typical of commencement/activation subsidiary legislation:
- Section 1 provides the short title (citation).
- Section 2 provides the operative commencement/continuation date for Part III of the parent Act.
There are no schedules or detailed procedural rules in the extract. Instead, the Order is designed to work in tandem with the Requisition of Resources Act. In other words, the “structure” is not within the Order itself, but across the combined legal instruments: the Order activates Part III, and Part III supplies the substantive requisition framework.
From a practitioner’s perspective, the most useful way to read this instrument is to treat it as a trigger and then consult the relevant provisions in Part III of the Act to determine the rights, obligations, and legal consequences that apply once the trigger date has passed.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
The Order itself is addressed to the legal system and the operational scope of the parent Act. It does not, in the extract, identify categories of persons (for example, specific industries, asset owners, or service providers). However, by activating Part III of the Requisition of Resources Act, it effectively extends the applicability of Part III’s requisition powers to the relevant persons and entities contemplated by that Part.
In practical terms, once Part III is in operation, it is likely to apply to persons who control or provide resources that may fall within the requisition framework under the Act—such as owners, operators, contractors, or other stakeholders whose resources may be required by the State. The precise scope depends on the definitions and operative requisition provisions within Part III.
Because the Order is made by the Minister for Defence and relates to “requisition of resources,” it is reasonable to expect that the regime is intended for situations where national defence or preparedness requires rapid access to essential resources. Lawyers advising affected parties should therefore cross-reference the Act’s Part III definitions and procedures to identify whether a particular asset, service, or contractual arrangement is within scope.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Although the Requisition of Resources (No. 2) Order 2019 is brief, it is important because it determines whether the State can rely on the coercive and administrative powers in Part III of the parent Act. In requisition contexts, timing matters: if Part III is not in operation, the State may lack the legal authority to proceed under those specific provisions. Conversely, once Part III is activated, the legal basis for requisition actions becomes available.
For practitioners, the key significance is legal certainty. The Order provides a clear date—23 February 2019—from which Part III applies. This can affect:
- Validity of requisition actions taken after the commencement date;
- Compliance obligations of resource holders once the requisition regime is active;
- Disputes and remedies, including challenges to procedural compliance or the existence of legal authority;
- Contractual and operational planning for businesses that may be requisitioned or required to cooperate.
Additionally, the Order’s “remain in operation” language suggests continuing applicability. That means affected parties should not assume that the regime is short-lived. Instead, they should monitor whether further orders modify, suspend, or replace the activation of Part III. The portal status indicates the Order is part of the “current version” as at 27 March 2026, but practitioners should still verify whether subsequent amendments or later orders affect the operational status of Part III.
Finally, because the Order is made under section 2 of the Act, it reflects the legislative design: Parliament authorises the Minister to activate Part III when needed. This design balances preparedness with legal control, ensuring that the requisition powers are not permanently available in full without an activation step.
Related Legislation
- Requisition of Resources Act (Chapter 273) — particularly section 2 (power to make orders) and Part III (substantive requisition provisions activated by this Order).
- Requisition of Resources (Timeline / Legislation Timeline) — for identifying the correct version and any subsequent orders affecting Part III’s operation.
Source Documents
This article provides an overview of the Requisition of Resources (No. 2) Order 2019 for legal research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the official text for authoritative provisions.