Statute Details
- Title: Requisition of Resources (No. 3) Order 2017
- Act Code: RRA1985-S415-2017
- Legislation Type: Subsidiary legislation (Order)
- 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 Citation: SL 415/2017
- Date Made: 18 July 2017
- Commencement / Operational Date: Part III of the Act to come into and remain in operation on 25 July 2017
- Status: Current version as at 27 Mar 2026 (per the legislation portal)
What Is This Legislation About?
The Requisition of Resources (No. 3) Order 2017 is a short but legally significant instrument. In substance, it does not create a new scheme of requisitioning resources; rather, it activates an existing statutory regime contained in the Requisition of Resources Act (Chapter 273). Specifically, the Order provides that Part III of the Act is to come into and remain in operation from 25 July 2017.
In plain language, this Order is a “switch-on” mechanism. When Part III of the Act is in operation, the legal powers under that Part become available to the relevant authorities to requisition (i.e., take or control) certain resources needed for national defence or other specified purposes under the Act. The Order therefore forms part of Singapore’s broader preparedness framework: it allows the Government to bring into effect particular operational provisions without having to pass a new Act each time.
Because the text provided is limited to the enacting provisions (citation and the date of requisition), the practical legal effect must be understood by reference to the Requisition of Resources Act itself—particularly Part III. This Order is best read as an activation notice that triggers the operation of Part III on a specified date.
What Are the Key Provisions?
Section 1 (Citation) identifies the instrument as the “Requisition of Resources (No. 3) Order 2017.” This is a standard legislative provision used to ensure correct referencing and citation in legal documents, notices, and compliance materials.
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 25 July 2017. The phrase “come into and remain in operation” is important: it indicates that once Part III is activated on that date, it continues to apply (subject to any later amendments, revocation, or further orders under the Act’s framework).
From a practitioner’s perspective, the legal significance lies in the activation of Part III. While the Order itself is brief, Part III of the Act typically contains the operative requisition powers—such as the authority to requisition resources, the process for doing so, and the legal consequences for persons or entities whose resources are requisitioned. The Order effectively authorises the use of those powers from the specified date.
It is also relevant that the Order is made by the Minister for Defence “in exercise of the powers conferred by section 2 of the Requisition of Resources Act.” This matters for validity and administrative law. It signals that the Minister is acting within the statutory authority granted by the Act, and that the activation of Part III is not discretionary in an open-ended way; it is tied to the statutory mechanism in section 2 of the parent Act.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
Structurally, the Requisition of Resources (No. 3) Order 2017 is extremely compact. It contains:
(1) An enacting formula stating the legal basis for the Order (section 2 of the Requisition of Resources Act);
(2) Section 1 setting out the citation; and
(3) Section 2 specifying the date on which Part III of the Act comes into force and remains in operation.
There are no “Parts” or detailed substantive provisions within the Order itself. Instead, the Order functions as a procedural/legal trigger that points back to the parent Act. In practice, lawyers should treat the Order as a complementary instrument to the Requisition of Resources Act: the Order tells you when Part III is operative; the Act tells you what Part III does.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
The Order itself does not list categories of persons. However, because it activates Part III of the Requisition of Resources Act, its practical application will extend to the persons and organisations whose “resources” fall within the scope of Part III. In general terms, such resources may include goods, services, or other capabilities that the defence authorities may need during periods of heightened national security requirements or other circumstances contemplated by the Act.
Accordingly, the Order is relevant to:
- Businesses and operators that may hold or control resources potentially subject to requisition;
- Property holders or entities responsible for supplying particular goods or services;
- Legal advisers supporting compliance, contractual risk management, and dispute readiness; and
- Government-linked procurement and logistics stakeholders who may be affected by requisition orders issued under the activated Part III.
Even though the Order is dated and tied to 25 July 2017, its legal relevance may persist for the period during which Part III remains in operation. Lawyers should therefore check whether subsequent orders altered, extended, or revoked the activation, and whether any transitional or compensation-related provisions apply under the Act.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Although the Requisition of Resources (No. 3) Order 2017 is brief, it is important because it activates a coercive statutory power framework. Requisitioning is a sensitive area: it can affect property rights, business operations, and contractual arrangements. The legal importance of this Order is therefore not in its length, but in its effect—bringing Part III into operation enables the Government to act under the Act’s requisition powers.
For practitioners, the Order is a key document in any legal analysis involving requisitioned resources. If a client’s goods, services, or capabilities were requisitioned around or after 25 July 2017, the Order may be relevant to establishing whether the statutory powers were in force at the relevant time. This can matter for:
- Jurisdiction and legality of requisition actions (i.e., whether the authority had power at the time);
- Procedural compliance with the requisition process under Part III;
- Compensation and remedies (if Part III provides for compensation, claims, or dispute resolution); and
- Defences or challenges to requisition notices, where legality depends on whether the relevant Part was operative.
From a compliance standpoint, the Order also signals that the Government can activate requisition powers without legislative amendment each time. Businesses should therefore maintain readiness: understand how requisition notices would be served, what information might be required, how to document losses or disruptions, and how to manage contractual obligations that may conflict with requisition demands.
Finally, the Order illustrates a broader governance approach: Singapore’s defence and national preparedness legislation often uses subsidiary instruments to operationalise specific statutory powers. This allows for timely activation while keeping the core legal framework in the parent Act.
Related Legislation
- Requisition of Resources Act (Chapter 273) — the parent Act; this Order activates Part III under the Act.
- Requisition of Resources (Timeline / related orders) — practitioners should consult the legislation timeline and any other “Requisition of Resources” orders to determine when Part III was active and whether any subsequent orders modified the operational period.
Source Documents
This article provides an overview of the Requisition of Resources (No. 3) Order 2017 for legal research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the official text for authoritative provisions.