Statute Details
- Title: Requisition of Resources (No. 3) Order 2016
- Legislation Type: Subsidiary Legislation (SL)
- Act Code: RRA1985-S442-2016
- Authorising Act: Requisition of Resources Act (Chapter 273)
- Enacting Authority: Minister for Defence
- Enacting Formula (Key Power): Powers conferred by section 2 of the Requisition of Resources Act
- SL Number / Citation: SL 442/2016 (also shown as “No. S 442”)
- Date of Making: 21 September 2016
- Date of Requisition / Operational Date: Part III of the Act to come into and remain in operation on 24 September 2016
- Status: Current version as at 27 March 2026
What Is This Legislation About?
The Requisition of Resources (No. 3) Order 2016 is a Singapore subsidiary legislation instrument that activates a specific portion of the Requisition of Resources Act (Chapter 273). In plain terms, it is a legal “switch” that brings Part III of the Act into force for a defined period starting on a particular date.
Although the Order itself is short, its practical effect can be significant. The Requisition of Resources framework is designed to enable the Government, particularly in times of national need, to secure access to resources and capabilities that may be required for defence and other critical purposes. By ordering that Part III comes into operation, the Minister for Defence authorises the legal mechanisms contained in that Part to be used from the specified date.
Accordingly, the Order should not be read in isolation. A practitioner must interpret it together with the Requisition of Resources Act, especially Part III, because the Order does not set out the substantive requisition powers. Instead, it determines when those powers become available.
What Are the Key Provisions?
Section 1 (Citation) provides the formal name of the instrument: “Requisition of Resources (No. 3) Order 2016.” This is a standard provision used to identify the Order for legal referencing, filing, and citation in proceedings or official records.
Section 2 (Date of requisition / commencement of Part III) is the operative provision. It states that the provisions of Part III of the Act are to come into and remain in operation on 24 September 2016. The language “come into and remain in operation” indicates that Part III is not merely temporarily activated for a single day; rather, it is intended to be in force from that date and continue operating until it is otherwise altered by subsequent legal instruments or by the Act’s own mechanisms (for example, any provisions in the Act that govern duration, cessation, or further orders).
The Order also includes the making date (“Made on 21 September 2016”) and the signature block showing the responsible official: NG CHEE KHERN, Permanent Secretary (Defence Development), Ministry of Defence. This confirms that the instrument was issued under the authority of the Minister for Defence, consistent with the enacting formula.
From a practitioner’s perspective, the most important takeaway is that the Order’s legal effect is to activate the requisition regime in Part III. Therefore, the substantive rights and obligations—such as the scope of resources that may be requisitioned, the process for requisition, any notices required, and any compensation or appeal mechanisms—are found in the Act itself. The Order determines the temporal applicability of those provisions. In practice, this affects when administrative actions (e.g., requisition notices or directions) can lawfully be issued under Part III.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
The Order is structured in a minimal, two-section format typical of activation orders. It contains:
- Section 1: Citation (identification of the instrument).
- Section 2: Date of requisition—activation of Part III of the parent Act.
There are no schedules or detailed procedural provisions in the Order itself. Instead, the structure reflects its function as a “commencement/activation” instrument. The broader legislative architecture is therefore located in the Requisition of Resources Act (Chapter 273), which is the primary statute governing requisition powers, definitions, procedural steps, and remedies.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
Because the Order activates Part III of the Requisition of Resources Act, its practical application depends on the scope of Part III in the parent Act. Generally, such requisition legislation targets persons and entities that control or supply relevant resources—such as businesses, operators, or other stakeholders whose assets, services, or capabilities may be required for national defence or other critical purposes.
Accordingly, the Order itself applies to those who are subject to the requisition powers in Part III once it is in operation. A lawyer advising a client should therefore (i) confirm whether the client falls within the definitions and categories in Part III, and (ii) determine whether any requisition action taken by the Government occurred on or after 24 September 2016—the date specified in Section 2.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Even though the Requisition of Resources (No. 3) Order 2016 is brief, it is legally important because it determines the availability of coercive administrative powers under the Requisition of Resources Act. Activation orders like this can materially affect commercial planning, contractual arrangements, and compliance obligations for affected industries.
For practitioners, the key significance lies in timing and legality. If a requisition notice or direction is issued under Part III, the Government must rely on Part III being in force. The Order provides the legal basis for that temporal activation. Therefore, when reviewing the validity of administrative action, counsel should examine whether the action was taken during the period when Part III was operational pursuant to the Order (and any subsequent orders that may have extended, amended, or replaced it).
In addition, activation of Part III can have downstream consequences for compensation, procedural fairness, and dispute resolution, depending on what Part III provides. While those details are not contained in the Order text, they are typically central to how requisition regimes balance state necessity with private rights. Lawyers should therefore treat this Order as a gateway document: it tells you when the substantive requisition framework could be used, and it prompts a deeper review of the Act’s Part III provisions to assess the rights and obligations triggered at that time.
Related Legislation
- Requisition of Resources Act (Chapter 273) — the parent Act; Part III is activated by this Order.
- Requisition of Resources Act: Timeline / Versions — to confirm the correct version of Part III and any amendments affecting requisition powers and procedures.
Source Documents
This article provides an overview of the Requisition of Resources (No. 3) Order 2016 for legal research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the official text for authoritative provisions.