Statute Details
- Title: Requisition of Resources (No. 2) Order 2023
- Act Code: RRA1985-S103-2023
- Type: Subsidiary Legislation (SL)
- Authorising Act: Requisition of Resources Act 1985
- Enacting authority: Minister for Defence
- Legal basis: Powers conferred by section 2 of the Requisition of Resources Act 1985
- Order citation: “Requisition of Resources (No. 2) Order 2023”
- Date of requisition (operational date): 25 February 2023
- Commencement/operation window stated: Part 3 of the Act “to come into and remain in operation” on 25 February 2023
- Date made: 30 January 2023
- Maker: Chan Heng Kee, Permanent Secretary (Defence), Ministry of Defence
- Current version status (as provided): Current version as at 27 Mar 2026
- Legislative reference: SL 103/2023 (dated 24 Feb 2023 in the timeline extract)
What Is This Legislation About?
The Requisition of Resources (No. 2) Order 2023 is a Singapore subsidiary legal instrument made under the Requisition of Resources Act 1985 (“the Act”). In plain terms, it activates a specific portion of the Act—namely Part 3—so that the statutory powers and procedures contained in that Part can be used from a specified date.
Requisition legislation exists to ensure that, in times of national need (for example, emergencies or defence-related circumstances), the Government can secure essential resources quickly and lawfully. Rather than creating a brand-new set of powers each time, the Act provides the framework; the Order functions as the “switch” that brings the relevant Part of the Act into force.
Although the extract provided is short and focuses on the enacting formula and the key operative clause, the legal effect is significant: once Part 3 is in operation, the authorities empowered under the Act may exercise the requisition powers described in Part 3. Practitioners should therefore treat this Order as an activation instrument that triggers the practical operation of the Act’s requisition regime.
What Are the Key Provisions?
Section 1 (Citation) is a standard provision confirming the name of the instrument. It states that the Order may be cited as the “Requisition of Resources (No. 2) Order 2023”. While this does not itself create substantive rights or obligations, it is important for legal referencing in notices, correspondence, and any subsequent enforcement actions.
Section 2 (Date of requisition) is the core operative provision. It provides that “the provisions of Part 3 of the Act are to come into and remain in operation on 25 February 2023.” This wording indicates two things: (1) Part 3 is activated on that date, and (2) it is intended to continue in operation (at least until it is later amended, revoked, or otherwise brought to an end under the Act’s mechanisms). The phrase “remain in operation” is particularly relevant for compliance planning, because it suggests the activation is not merely momentary.
The Order also includes the enacting formula, which states that it is made “in exercise of the powers conferred by section 2 of the Requisition of Resources Act 1985.” This matters for legal validity. If an affected party challenges the requisition regime, one of the first questions will be whether the Minister for Defence had the statutory authority to activate Part 3 and whether the procedural prerequisites under section 2 of the Act were satisfied. The Order’s explicit reliance on section 2 strengthens the Government’s position that the activation is grounded in the Act.
Finally, the extract shows the Order was made on 30 January 2023 and signed by the Permanent Secretary (Defence), Ministry of Defence. In practice, the signature block and the identity of the maker can be relevant where there are disputes about whether the correct office-holder exercised the delegated or statutory authority. The presence of the maker’s name and title supports the formal legitimacy of the instrument.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
As an Order, the instrument is structured in a concise format. Based on the extract, it contains:
(1) Enacting formula — identifies the statutory power under the Act (section 2 of the Requisition of Resources Act 1985) and confirms that the Minister for Defence makes the Order.
(2) Citation provision (Section 1) — provides the short title for referencing.
(3) Date of requisition (Section 2) — the operative clause that activates Part 3 of the Act on a specified date and indicates it remains in operation.
Notably, the Order does not itself reproduce the substantive requisition powers. Instead, it relies on the Act’s internal structure—particularly Part 3—to supply the detailed legal mechanisms. For practitioners, this means that the Order should not be read in isolation. The practical legal work requires reading Part 3 of the Requisition of Resources Act 1985 to understand what can be requisitioned, who can requisition it, the process for doing so, and the consequences for affected persons.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
This Order applies to the extent that it activates Part 3 of the Requisition of Resources Act 1985. While the extract does not specify categories of persons, requisition regimes typically operate against persons who control or possess resources that may be needed for defence or national purposes—such as owners, occupiers, operators, or other stakeholders with relevant control over the resources.
Accordingly, the practical scope will depend on the definitions and operative provisions within Part 3 of the Act. Lawyers advising businesses, logistics providers, utilities, manufacturers, or other resource-intensive sectors should assume that the Order may be relevant to any entity that could be subject to requisition directions once Part 3 is in force. The key compliance question is not merely whether the Order exists, but whether the Act’s Part 3 powers have been exercised through specific requisition notices or directions.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
The importance of the Requisition of Resources (No. 2) Order 2023 lies in its function as a legal trigger. Even though the Order is brief, it activates a statutory regime that can materially affect private rights and operational realities. In practical terms, once Part 3 is in operation, the Government may be able to requisition resources and impose obligations on affected parties—potentially including requirements to provide, make available, or otherwise accommodate the Government’s needs.
For practitioners, the Order is also important because it provides a clear time anchor. The activation date—25 February 2023—is critical for determining whether requisition actions taken on or after that date fall within the period when Part 3 was operational. In disputes, timing can affect legality, the availability of remedies, and the assessment of compliance.
Finally, the Order underscores how Singapore’s legal framework manages national readiness: the Act supplies the substantive powers, while Orders like this one manage when those powers are brought to bear. This structure can be relevant in judicial review or administrative law contexts, where the legality of activation and the proper exercise of powers may be scrutinised. Lawyers should therefore treat the Order as part of a broader legal chain: statutory authority → activation instrument → requisition decision/notice under Part 3 → compliance and any dispute resolution mechanisms under the Act.
Related Legislation
- Requisition of Resources Act 1985 (including section 2 and Part 3)
- Requisition of Resources (No. 2) Order 2023 (SL 103/2023)
Source Documents
This article provides an overview of the Requisition of Resources (No. 2) Order 2023 for legal research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the official text for authoritative provisions.