Statute Details
- Title: Requisition of Resources (No. 3) Order 2019
- Legislation Type: Subsidiary legislation (SL)
- Act Code: RRA1985-S315-2019
- 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 315/2019
- Date Made: 9 April 2019
- Status / Version: Current version as at 27 Mar 2026
- Commencement (Operational Date): Part III of the Act to come into and remain in operation on 16 April 2019
- Parts / Key Sections: Sections 1–2 (as reflected in the extract)
What Is This Legislation About?
The Requisition of Resources (No. 3) Order 2019 is a short but legally significant instrument made under Singapore’s Requisition of Resources Act (Chapter 273). In plain language, it is an order that activates (or “brings into operation”) a particular part of the principal Act—specifically Part III—for a defined period starting on a specified date.
Requisition regimes are typically designed for national preparedness. They provide a legal framework under which the State can require (requisition) resources—such as goods, services, or other assets—when circumstances make such measures necessary. This Order does not itself list the requisitioned resources or set out detailed requisition procedures; rather, it functions as a trigger that turns on the operational machinery contained in Part III of the Act.
Accordingly, the practical effect of this Order is to determine when Part III of the Requisition of Resources Act becomes enforceable. Lawyers advising government agencies, regulated industries, or potential requisition targets need to understand that the Order is essentially a commencement/activation instrument—and that the substantive rights and obligations arise from the underlying Act once Part III is in force.
What Are the Key Provisions?
Section 1 (Citation) identifies the instrument as the Requisition of Resources (No. 3) Order 2019. While this may appear purely formal, citation provisions are important for legal clarity: they allow practitioners to accurately reference the specific order when checking whether a particular activation date applies, and when correlating the order with any subsequent notices or administrative actions taken under the Act.
Section 2 (Date of requisition / Activation of Part III) is the core operative provision in the extract. It states that “the provisions of Part III of the Act are to come into and remain in operation on 16 April 2019.” This language performs two functions:
- Commencement: Part III becomes legally operative on 16 April 2019.
- Continuing operation: Part III is not merely temporarily activated for a single day; it is to “come into and remain in operation” from that date (subject to any later amendments, revocation, or further orders under the Act).
From a practitioner’s perspective, the phrase “remain in operation” is crucial. It indicates that once Part III is activated, the legal framework in that part can be relied upon for the duration of its operation. This affects compliance planning, contractual risk assessment, and the readiness of entities that may be subject to requisition-related directions.
Enacting formula and authorising power provide further interpretive context. The Minister for Defence makes the Order “in exercise of the powers conferred by section 2 of the Requisition of Resources Act.” This means the Order is not discretionary in an open-ended way; it is made within a statutory power that presumably governs when and how Part III may be brought into force. Lawyers should therefore read the Order together with section 2 of the Requisition of Resources Act to confirm the scope of the Minister’s authority (for example, whether the Minister may activate Part III by order, whether there are conditions precedent, and whether the activation can be time-limited or subject to further instruments).
Although the extract does not reproduce Part III itself, the key legal takeaway is that Part III contains the substantive requisition regime. Once Part III is in operation, the State’s ability to requisition resources—and the corresponding duties, procedures, and remedies—are governed by that Part. The Order therefore operates as the legal gateway to those substantive provisions.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
This instrument is structured as a subsidiary legislation order with a brief enacting formula and two substantive sections. In the extract, the structure is:
- Enacting Formula: identifies the legal basis (powers under section 2 of the Requisition of Resources Act) and the making authority (Minister for Defence).
- Section 1 (Citation): provides the short title.
- Section 2 (Date of requisition): specifies the operational date for Part III of the Act.
There are no schedules or detailed operational rules in the extract. Instead, the Order is designed to be read in conjunction with the principal Act. Practitioners should treat the Order as a “switch” that activates Part III, and then consult the relevant provisions within Part III to determine the substantive legal consequences.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
Because the Order itself is limited to activating Part III of the Requisition of Resources Act, its direct addressees are best understood by reference to the principal Act. In general, requisition legislation affects persons and entities that control or supply resources that the State may need for public purposes (particularly in emergencies or defence-related circumstances). This can include businesses holding goods, providing services, operating facilities, or otherwise possessing resources that may be requisitioned.
Practically, the Order matters to:
- Potential requisition targets (companies, operators, and service providers whose resources may be requisitioned once Part III is in force);
- Government agencies and decision-makers responsible for issuing requisition directions or implementing requisition arrangements under Part III;
- Legal advisers supporting compliance, contractual adjustments, and dispute readiness during the period Part III remains operative.
Even though the Order does not name specific categories of resources or persons, the activation of Part III means that the legal framework enabling requisition actions is available from 16 April 2019 onward.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Although the Requisition of Resources (No. 3) Order 2019 is brief, it is legally important because it determines when the substantive requisition powers in Part III of the Requisition of Resources Act can be exercised. For practitioners, timing is often decisive: rights and obligations under emergency or defence-related legislation typically depend on whether the relevant provisions are in force.
From an enforcement and compliance perspective, the Order affects risk management. Entities that may be requisitioned need to understand that once Part III is operative, they may face legal obligations relating to cooperation, provision of resources, or other administrative requirements set out in Part III. Even if no requisition notice is issued immediately, the legal environment changes on the commencement date.
For disputes and advisory work, the Order also provides a documentary anchor. In any later challenge—whether about the validity of a requisition direction, the scope of authority, or the applicability of procedural safeguards—lawyers will typically need to establish that Part III was indeed in operation at the relevant time. The Order’s specified date (16 April 2019) and its status as a current version (as at 27 Mar 2026) help practitioners confirm the legal basis for actions taken during that period.
Related Legislation
- Requisition of Resources Act (Chapter 273) — the principal Act providing the requisition framework and the power for the Minister for Defence to bring provisions into operation.
- Requisition of Resources (Timeline / Legislation Timeline) — for practitioners to verify the correct version and operational status of Part III at any given date.
Source Documents
This article provides an overview of the Requisition of Resources (No. 3) Order 2019 for legal research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the official text for authoritative provisions.