Statute Details
- Title: Requisition of Resources (No. 3) Order 2018
- Act Code: RRA1985-S140-2018
- Type: Subsidiary Legislation (SL)
- Authorising Act: Requisition of Resources Act (Chapter 273)
- Enacting Formula / Power Used: Powers conferred by section 2 of the Requisition of Resources Act
- SL Citation: SL 140/2018
- Legislation Number (as displayed): No. S 140
- Date Made: 11 January 2018
- Date of Requisition / Operational Date: Provisions of Part III of the Act to come into and remain in operation on 24 March 2018
- Status: Current version as at 27 Mar 2026 (per the legislation portal)
- Parts: Not specified in the extract (Order contains provisions on citation and date of requisition)
- Key Sections in the Order (from extract): Sections 1 (Citation) and 2 (Date of requisition)
What Is This Legislation About?
The Requisition of Resources (No. 3) Order 2018 is a short subsidiary instrument made under Singapore’s Requisition of Resources Act (Chapter 273). In practical terms, it is a “trigger” order: it activates a specific part of the parent Act—Part III—for a defined period starting on a specified date.
Requisition legislation is typically designed for national resilience. It empowers the State, under defined legal conditions, to secure access to resources that may be needed for public purposes, including during emergencies or periods of heightened national security concern. This Order does not itself set out the requisition mechanics; instead, it brings the relevant machinery in the parent Act into force.
Accordingly, the legal significance of the Order lies in its effect on the operation of the Requisition of Resources Act. Once Part III is in force, the powers, procedures, and obligations contained in that Part become applicable. Lawyers advising government agencies, affected businesses, or potential requisition recipients must therefore read the Order together with Part III of the Act.
What Are the Key Provisions?
Section 1 (Citation) provides the formal name of the instrument: the “Requisition of Resources (No. 3) Order 2018.” This is standard legislative drafting and primarily assists with identification, referencing, and publication.
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 24 March 2018. The drafting indicates that Part III is not merely temporarily activated for a single day; rather, it is intended to remain in operation from that date (subject to any later orders or statutory cessation mechanisms that may exist in the parent Act).
From a practitioner’s perspective, the key question is: what does Part III of the Requisition of Resources Act do? The Order itself contains no further detail in the extract, so counsel must consult the parent Act. Typically, Part III would set out the legal framework for requisitioning resources—such as the authority to requisition, the categories of resources covered, the process for issuing requisition orders, and the rights and remedies of affected persons (including compensation or procedural safeguards, if provided by the Act).
Because this Order is made under section 2 of the Act, it is best understood as an administrative/legislative activation mechanism. The Minister for Defence (as indicated by the enacting formula) exercises the statutory power to determine when Part III becomes operational. This means that any legal analysis of rights, liabilities, and compliance obligations will generally turn on the effective date—here, 24 March 2018—and on whether subsequent requisition actions were taken while Part III was in force.
In addition, the enacting formula and signature block show that the Order is made by the Minister for Defence (via the Permanent Secretary (Defence Development), Ministry of Defence). This matters for governance and for any challenge that might allege improper exercise of statutory power. The Order explicitly grounds itself in the Act’s enabling provision, which supports its validity.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
The Order is extremely concise. It contains:
(1) A citation provision (Section 1), which identifies the instrument; and (2) a requisition date provision (Section 2), which determines when Part III of the parent Act comes into effect and remains operational.
There are no “Parts” or detailed subsections within the Order itself in the extract. Instead, the structure is designed to be read in conjunction with the parent Act. In other words, the Order is not a stand-alone regulatory code; it is a commencement/activation instrument for the substantive provisions located in the Requisition of Resources Act.
For legal research and practice, this structure has a direct consequence: when advising clients, you should treat the Order as a “switch” and the Act as the “system.” The relevant legal duties and powers will be found in the Act (particularly Part III), while the Order provides the timing and legal authority for activation.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
Although the Order itself does not specify categories of persons, the Requisition of Resources Act (and specifically Part III) would define the scope of application. In general, requisition powers typically apply to persons who control, supply, or possess the relevant resources—such as businesses, asset holders, contractors, or other entities capable of providing goods, services, or other resources.
Practically, the Order would be relevant to any person who might be subject to requisition actions once Part III is in operation. This includes (i) parties that may receive requisition notices or directions, (ii) parties that may be required to provide resources or comply with operational instructions, and (iii) parties that may seek compensation or challenge the legality of requisition actions, depending on what Part III provides.
Because the Order activates Part III from 24 March 2018, the temporal scope is also important. If requisition steps were taken before that date, Part III would not have been in operation under this Order; if steps were taken after, Part III would likely govern the legal framework. Lawyers should therefore confirm the timeline of any requisition communications, notices, or government directions against the activation date.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Even though the Order is brief, it can have significant operational and legal consequences. Requisition powers can affect commercial operations, supply chains, staffing, and contractual arrangements. When Part III is in force, affected parties may face obligations to make resources available, comply with directives, or adjust production and logistics to meet public needs.
From an enforcement and compliance standpoint, the Order’s importance lies in its role in enabling the State’s legal authority. Without an activation order (or without Part III being in operation), the specific requisition mechanisms in that Part may not be available. Thus, the Order helps ensure that requisition actions are taken within the legally prescribed framework and timing.
From a legal risk perspective, the Order also affects how disputes are framed. For example, if a business challenges a requisition action, the legal analysis will likely involve: (i) whether Part III was in force at the relevant time; (ii) whether the requisition authority complied with the procedures in Part III; and (iii) whether any compensation or procedural safeguards were triggered. The activation date in Section 2 becomes a key factual anchor in such disputes.
Finally, the Order illustrates a broader governance model: rather than embedding all operational triggers in the parent Act itself, the Act authorises the Minister to bring parts into operation when needed. This can provide flexibility while still preserving parliamentary oversight through the enabling statute and the publication of subsidiary legislation.
Related Legislation
- Requisition of Resources Act (Chapter 273) — particularly Part III (the provisions activated by this Order)
- Requisition of Resources Act — section 2 (the enabling provision authorising the Minister to make orders bringing Part III into operation)
- Legislation Timeline / Revisions (as referenced in the portal interface) — for confirming the correct version and any subsequent amendments affecting Part III or the enabling power
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.