Statute Details
- Title: Requisition of Resources (No. 3) Order 2018
- Act Code: RRA1985-S140-2018
- Legislation 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
- Order Citation: No. S 140
- SL Number: SL 140/2018
- Date of Making: 11 January 2018
- Commencement / Operational Date (as stated): 24 March 2018
- Status / Version: Current version as at 27 Mar 2026 (per the extract)
- Key Provisions (from extract): Section 1 (Citation); Section 2 (Date of requisition / operationalisation of Part III)
What Is This Legislation About?
The Requisition of Resources (No. 3) Order 2018 is a short but legally significant instrument made under Singapore’s Requisition of Resources Act (Chapter 273). In plain terms, it activates the operation of a specific part of the parent Act—namely Part III—for a defined period starting on a particular date.
Requisition of resources legislation is typically designed for national preparedness. It provides a legal framework for the Government to require (or “requisition”) resources—such as goods, services, or other capabilities—when circumstances require it. The subsidiary order does not itself set out the requisition mechanics; instead, it turns on the relevant operational provisions in the parent Act.
Accordingly, this Order is best understood as an activation order: it determines when the Government may rely on the powers contained in Part III of the Requisition of Resources Act. For practitioners, the practical importance lies in identifying the exact date from which Part III becomes effective, because that date governs whether the Government can lawfully exercise the requisition powers and whether affected parties can invoke the statutory safeguards that apply under Part III.
What Are the Key Provisions?
Section 1 (Citation) is a standard provision. It confirms the formal name of the instrument: “Requisition of Resources (No. 3) Order 2018.” While it may appear administrative, citation provisions matter for legal certainty—particularly when orders are numbered (e.g., “No. 3”) and when multiple activation orders may exist over time.
Section 2 (Date of requisition) is the substantive operative clause in the extract. It provides that “the provisions of Part III of the Act are to come into and remain in operation on 24 March 2018.” This language does two things at once:
- Commencement: Part III is not merely “available” in the abstract; it is expressly brought into operation on 24 March 2018.
- Continuing effect: Part III is stated to “come into and remain in operation” from that date, indicating that the activation is intended to have ongoing legal effect rather than being a one-day or purely temporary measure (unless later orders amend, revoke, or otherwise change the operational status).
From a legal practitioner’s perspective, the key interpretive point is that the Order does not describe the content of Part III. Instead, it incorporates by reference the operational provisions of Part III of the parent Act. Therefore, the rights and duties of affected persons (e.g., requisitioned parties) will be determined by the text of Part III of the Requisition of Resources Act, as activated by this Order.
Enacting formula and authorisation also matter. The Order is made “in exercise of the powers conferred by section 2 of the Requisition of Resources Act.” This signals that the Minister for Defence has a statutory mechanism to activate Part III. Practically, this helps establish the legality of the activation: the Order is not an ad hoc administrative decision; it is grounded in a specific enabling provision in the parent statute.
Finally, the extract includes the making date (11 January 2018) and the operational date (24 March 2018). This temporal structure is common in legislative instruments: the instrument is made earlier, but its operational effect is scheduled for a later date. For compliance and litigation risk, the operational date is the critical one—because it is the date from which Part III powers and safeguards apply.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
Structurally, the Order is extremely concise. It contains:
- Section 1: Citation (name of the Order).
- Section 2: Date of requisition / activation clause (bringing Part III of the parent Act into operation on 24 March 2018).
Although the extract does not show “Parts” within the Order itself, the Order’s structure is best described as a subsidiary activation instrument that relies on the structure of the parent Act. The parent Act’s Part III is the substantive legal regime; this Order is the mechanism that activates it.
For practitioners, this means that reading the Order in isolation is insufficient. A proper legal analysis requires reviewing:
- Section 2 of the Requisition of Resources Act (the enabling power for making such orders); and
- Part III of the Requisition of Resources Act (the actual requisition powers, procedures, and any protections such as notice, compensation, review, or other procedural requirements).
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
The Order itself is directed at the legal operation of Part III of the Requisition of Resources Act. In practical terms, it applies to the Government’s exercise of requisition powers under Part III and to persons and entities who may be affected by those powers once Part III is in force.
Because the extract does not specify the categories of resources or the classes of persons, the scope must be determined by the parent Act’s Part III. Typically, requisition regimes apply to those who control or provide relevant resources—such as suppliers, operators, or owners of goods and services that may be required for national needs. The activation date is crucial: only from 24 March 2018 would Part III’s requisition framework be legally operative.
Accordingly, for compliance planning, counsel should treat this Order as a trigger document. If a requisition action was taken after the operational date, it would likely be assessed under Part III as activated by this Order. If an action was taken before that date, the legality may depend on whether another activation order was in force or whether other parts of the Act applied.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Even though the Requisition of Resources (No. 3) Order 2018 is brief, it is important because it determines when a potentially far-reaching legal regime becomes available to the State. Requisition powers can affect commercial operations, contractual arrangements, and property or service availability. The legal validity of such actions often turns on whether the relevant statutory provisions were in force at the time.
From an enforcement and litigation standpoint, the Order provides a clear statutory anchor: Part III is “to come into and remain in operation on 24 March 2018.” This clarity supports legal certainty for both the Government and affected parties. For practitioners, it reduces ambiguity about commencement and helps frame arguments about statutory compliance, procedural fairness, and the applicability of any requisition safeguards contained in Part III.
For affected businesses and counsel advising them, the Order signals that the requisition framework is not merely theoretical. Once Part III is operational, businesses may need to prepare for potential requisition notices, operational directives, and any compensation or dispute processes that Part III establishes. Even if the Order itself does not impose obligations directly, it is the legal gateway through which obligations may arise under Part III.
Finally, the numbering “(No. 3)” suggests that there may be multiple similar orders over time. This matters for practitioners conducting historical compliance reviews or assessing whether a particular requisition action was taken under the correct activation period. A careful timeline review is therefore essential.
Related Legislation
- Requisition of Resources Act (Chapter 273) (including section 2 and Part III)
- Requisition of Resources (Timeline / related orders) (as referenced in the legislation interface)
Source Documents
This article provides an overview of the Requisition of Resources (No. 3) Order 2018 for legal research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the official text for authoritative provisions.