Statute Details
- Title: Requisition of Resources (No. 2) Order 2022
- Act Code: RRA1985-S749-2022
- Type: Subsidiary Legislation (SL)
- Authorising Act: Requisition of Resources Act 1985
- Enacting authority: Minister for Defence
- Enacting formula (power used): Powers conferred by section 2 of the Requisition of Resources Act 1985
- SL number: SL 749/2022
- Date made: 16 July 2022
- Date of requisition / commencement of Part 3: 21 September 2022
- Duration / “remain in operation”: Part 3 provisions are to “come into and remain in operation” from 21 September 2022 (until further legislative action under the Act)
- Status: Current version as at 27 Mar 2026
- Key provisions in the extract: Sections 1 (Citation) and 2 (Date of requisition)
What Is This Legislation About?
The Requisition of Resources (No. 2) Order 2022 is a Singapore subsidiary legislation instrument made under the Requisition of Resources Act 1985 (“the Act”). In plain terms, it is an administrative/legal “switch” that activates a particular set of powers in the Act—specifically, the provisions in Part 3—for a defined period starting on a specified date.
Requisition regimes are typically designed for national preparedness. They allow the State, in defined circumstances, to secure resources (which may include goods, services, or other assets) when they are needed for defence, public safety, or other urgent national requirements. Rather than creating a new requisition framework from scratch, this Order triggers the operation of the Act’s existing Part 3 machinery.
Practically, the Order matters because it determines when the legal authority to requisition under Part 3 becomes effective. For lawyers advising government agencies, suppliers, contractors, or affected owners and operators, the key question is not only what the Act allows, but also when those powers are turned on. This Order answers that timing question for the “No. 2” requisition cycle in 2022.
What Are the Key Provisions?
Section 1 (Citation) is straightforward. It provides the formal name of the instrument: “Requisition of Resources (No. 2) Order 2022.” While seemingly minor, citation provisions are important for legal certainty, especially when multiple requisition orders exist (e.g., “No. 1”, “No. 2”, etc.). In practice, counsel often needs to identify the correct order that corresponds to a particular requisition event, notice, or operational period.
Section 2 (Date of requisition) is the operative provision in the extract. It states that “the provisions of Part 3 of the Act are to come into and remain in operation on 21 September 2022.” This language is legally significant. It indicates that Part 3 is not merely to be “commenced” on that date; it is to “remain in operation,” meaning the activation is intended to persist rather than be a one-day or short-lived activation. The exact end date (if any) is not stated in the Order text provided; instead, the continuation likely depends on the Act’s own mechanisms for termination, variation, or further orders.
From a practitioner’s perspective, the legal effect is that, once 21 September 2022 arrives, the State may rely on the powers and procedures contained in Part 3 of the Act. Those powers may include (depending on the Act’s content) the ability to require persons or entities to make available resources, to direct use or allocation, and to impose obligations on affected parties. Even though the extract does not reproduce Part 3 itself, the Order’s function is to activate it. Therefore, legal advice must be anchored in the text of Part 3 to determine the exact scope of requisition authority, procedural steps (such as notices, declarations, or assessments), and any compensation or review rights.
Enacting formula and making authority further confirm the legal basis. The Order is made “in exercise of the powers conferred by section 2 of the Requisition of Resources Act 1985.” This matters for validity and for any challenge. If a requisition action is taken after the activation date, affected parties may still scrutinise whether the requisition was properly grounded in the Act and whether the relevant Part 3 procedures were followed. However, the existence of this Order provides the necessary statutory trigger for Part 3 to be in force.
Finally, the document records that it was “Made on 16 July 2022” and is signed by the Permanent Secretary (Defence), Ministry of Defence, Singapore (Chan Heng Kee). The making date and signatory can be relevant for administrative law questions (e.g., whether the instrument was properly executed and whether it was made by the correct authority). The “Date of requisition” (21 September 2022) is the date on which Part 3 becomes operational.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
This instrument is a short subsidiary legislation order with a minimal structure in the extract. It contains:
(1) A citation provision (Section 1), which identifies the Order; and
(2) An operative commencement/activation provision (Section 2), which specifies the date on which Part 3 of the Act comes into and remains in operation.
Although the Order itself is brief, its legal architecture is “embedded” in the Act. In other words, the Order does not set out the requisition powers; it activates them. The substantive requisition framework is located in the Act—particularly in Part 3. Accordingly, a practitioner should treat this Order as a timing and activation instrument, and then consult the Act’s Part 3 for the substantive rights, duties, procedural requirements, and any compensation regime.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
The Order applies indirectly to persons and entities who may be subject to requisition under the Act once Part 3 is in operation. While the extract does not specify categories of persons, requisition legislation typically targets those who control or supply relevant resources—such as owners, operators, manufacturers, service providers, or other stakeholders capable of providing the requisitioned resources.
In practical terms, the Order becomes relevant to any party that receives requisition-related directions, notices, or demands after 21 September 2022. It may also be relevant to parties involved in compliance, contractual performance, and dispute resolution arising from requisition orders. Lawyers advising suppliers or contractors should therefore check whether the requisition event falls within the period when Part 3 is “in operation,” because that timing may determine whether the State’s requisition powers were legally available.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Although the Requisition of Resources (No. 2) Order 2022 is brief, it is legally important because it determines the availability of the State’s requisition powers under Part 3 of the Act. In requisition contexts, timing is often decisive. A requisition action taken when Part 3 is not in operation may be challengeable for lack of statutory authority, whereas an action taken after activation is more likely to be supported by the statutory framework.
For government agencies and defence-related bodies, the Order provides the legal basis to implement requisition measures as part of national preparedness. For affected businesses and individuals, the Order signals that obligations under Part 3 may be triggered. This has immediate operational consequences: businesses may need to redirect resources, adjust production or service delivery, and manage contractual and staffing impacts.
From a dispute and compliance standpoint, the Order also assists counsel in mapping the legal timeline. The instrument is “current version” as at 27 Mar 2026, but the operative activation date is 21 September 2022. Practitioners should therefore distinguish between the version status of the Order (i.e., whether it has been amended) and the historical activation date that governs the legality of actions taken at the time. In addition, the existence of a “No. 2” order suggests there may be multiple requisition activations or cycles, making it essential to identify the correct order for the relevant period.
Finally, the Order’s reliance on section 2 of the Act underscores that requisition powers are not purely discretionary. They are structured through a statutory activation mechanism. This can be relevant in judicial review or administrative law arguments, where affected parties may question whether the statutory preconditions for exercising requisition powers were satisfied.
Related Legislation
- Requisition of Resources Act 1985 (Authorising Act; particularly Part 3)
Source Documents
This article provides an overview of the Requisition of Resources (No. 2) Order 2022 for legal research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the official text for authoritative provisions.