Statute Details
- Title: Requisition of Resources (No. 2) Order 2021
- Act Code: RRA1985-S164-2021
- 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
- SL Citation: SL 164/2021
- Date Made: 23 February 2021
- Date of Requisition / Operational Date: 23 March 2021
- Operational Scope: Part III of the Act
- Current Status (as provided): Current version as at 27 Mar 2026
What Is This Legislation About?
The Requisition of Resources (No. 2) Order 2021 is a Singapore subsidiary legislation instrument made under the Requisition of Resources Act (Chapter 273). In plain terms, it is an administrative/legal “switch” that brings a specific part of the main Act into effect for a defined period. The Order does not itself create a new regulatory regime from scratch; rather, it activates Part III of the Requisition of Resources Act.
Under the Requisition of Resources framework, the Government is empowered to requisition (that is, take or control) certain resources in situations where national needs require it—typically in emergencies or circumstances affecting national security and continuity of essential services. The Order is therefore best understood as a mechanism to ensure that the legal powers in Part III are available and enforceable when needed.
Practically, the Order’s legal significance lies in its timing and scope: it specifies that the provisions of Part III are to come into and remain in operation starting on 23 March 2021. For lawyers advising government agencies, regulated entities, or potential requisition targets, the key question is not “what does the Order say?” but “what legal powers are unlocked by activating Part III, and what obligations and consequences follow once Part III is in force.”
What Are the Key Provisions?
Section 1 (Citation) provides the formal name of the instrument: the “Requisition of Resources (No. 2) Order 2021.” While this is standard drafting, it matters for legal referencing, especially when multiple requisition orders exist (as suggested by the “No. 2” designation). In practice, counsel often need to distinguish between different orders that may activate different parts of the Act or different time windows.
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 23 March 2021.” This wording is crucial. It indicates that Part III is not merely temporarily “announced” but is intended to be in force from that date and to continue operating thereafter (subject to any later amendments, revocations, or subsequent orders that may alter the status of Part III).
Although the extract provided does not reproduce the text of Part III itself, the legal effect of Section 2 is to activate the Part III regime. In a requisition context, Part III typically governs the substantive requisition powers—for example, the authority to requisition resources, the process for doing so, and the legal consequences for affected persons. Once Part III is in operation, the Government’s powers under that Part become enforceable against persons within its scope.
Made on 23 February 2021 (as shown in the extract) confirms the administrative timeline: the Order was made approximately three weeks before Part III was scheduled to come into operation. This gap is consistent with the need to prepare operationally (e.g., internal directives, notices, and readiness) while ensuring that the legal authority is properly grounded and publicly recorded.
Finally, the extract includes the signature block: JOSEPH LEONG WENG KEONG, Permanent Secretary (Defence Development), Ministry of Defence. This is not merely ceremonial; it evidences that the Order was made by the competent authority under the enabling power in section 2 of the Requisition of Resources Act. For practitioners, verifying the maker and the statutory authority is important when assessing validity challenges or when confirming that the correct ministry and office exercised the delegated power.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
Structurally, the Requisition of Resources (No. 2) Order 2021 is a short subsidiary instrument with only two substantive provisions:
(1) Section 1: citation (identification of the instrument); and
(2) Section 2: the date on which Part III of the Requisition of Resources Act comes into operation and remains in operation.
Because the Order is an activation instrument, it is best read together with the Requisition of Resources Act (Chapter 273), particularly Part III. The Order’s structure reflects its function: it does not attempt to restate Part III’s detailed requisition mechanics. Instead, it relies on the main Act’s architecture and uses the enabling power to bring the relevant Part into effect.
From a legal research perspective, the “timeline” and “versions” features (noted in the extract) are important. Even though the Order is short, its “current version” status as at 27 March 2026 suggests that the instrument may have been consolidated or updated for publication purposes. Practitioners should therefore confirm whether any amendments, revocations, or subsequent orders have affected the continuing operation of Part III after the initial activation date.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
The Order itself is directed at the legal operation of Part III of the Requisition of Resources Act. Therefore, its practical applicability depends on the scope of Part III. In general terms, requisition legislation affects persons who control or supply resources that may be requisitioned—such as businesses, asset holders, service providers, and other entities whose resources are relevant to national needs.
Accordingly, while the Order does not list categories of regulated persons in the extract, lawyers should treat the Order as applying to any person who falls within the definitions and requisition triggers contained in Part III. The activation of Part III means that the Government’s requisition powers under that Part can be exercised against eligible resources and persons, subject to the procedural and substantive requirements in the Act.
In advising clients, counsel should also consider whether the activation date (23 March 2021) affects obligations, liabilities, or compliance expectations. For example, if requisition notices, directions, or enforcement actions occur after the activation date, affected parties may need to respond under the Part III regime rather than under an earlier or inactive status.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
The Requisition of Resources (No. 2) Order 2021 is important because it demonstrates how Singapore operationalises emergency or national-need powers through targeted activation of statutory parts. Even though the Order is brief, it has potentially significant consequences: once Part III is in operation, the legal authority to requisition resources becomes available and enforceable.
For practitioners, the Order is a reminder that the legal landscape can change quickly through subsidiary instruments. A client may be operating under “normal” conditions, but once Part III is activated, the Government may be able to require access to resources, impose controls, or direct arrangements that would otherwise be unavailable. This can affect contractual performance, supply chain continuity, staffing, and asset management.
From an enforcement and compliance standpoint, the Order’s activation mechanism also affects how disputes are framed. If a requisition action is challenged, the validity and timing of the activation order may be central. Lawyers would typically examine: (i) whether the correct statutory power was used (here, section 2 of the Act); (ii) whether Part III was properly brought into operation on the stated date; and (iii) whether any later orders changed or ended the operation of Part III.
Finally, the “No. 2” designation suggests there may be multiple requisition orders. This matters for legal certainty: different orders may activate different parts, or may be issued for different periods or circumstances. Practitioners should therefore cross-check other requisition orders around the same timeframe to determine the full legal context applicable to a particular requisition event.
Related Legislation
- Requisition of Resources Act (Chapter 273) — the enabling Act, including Part III (the provisions activated by this Order)
- Requisition of Resources Act (Timeline / Authorising Act references) — for locating the statutory framework and any related orders or amendments
Source Documents
This article provides an overview of the Requisition of Resources (No. 2) Order 2021 for legal research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the official text for authoritative provisions.