Statute Details
- Title: Requisition of Resources (No. 3) Order 2022
- Act Code: RRA1985-S808-2022
- Legislation Type: Subsidiary Legislation (SL)
- Authorising Act: Requisition of Resources Act 1985
- Enacting Authority: Minister for Defence
- Enacting Formula (Power Used): Powers conferred by section 2 of the Requisition of Resources Act 1985
- Citation: SL 808/2022
- Date of Requisition / Operational Date: 20 October 2022
- Made Date: 6 October 2022
- Status: Current version as at 27 Mar 2026
- Key Operative Effect (from extract): Brings Part 3 of the Act into operation and keeps it in operation from 20 October 2022
What Is This Legislation About?
The Requisition of Resources (No. 3) Order 2022 is a Singapore subsidiary legal instrument made under the Requisition of Resources Act 1985 (“the Act”). In plain terms, it is an administrative/legal “switch” that activates a specific portion of the Act—namely Part 3—on a specified date.
Requisition legislation is typically designed for situations where the State needs to secure resources (such as services, materials, or other operational capabilities) quickly and lawfully. Rather than the Act automatically applying in full at all times, the Act’s provisions can be brought into force when circumstances require. This Order is one such activation instrument: it does not itself create the requisition regime from scratch; instead, it determines when the relevant statutory powers in the Act become operational.
From the extract provided, the Order’s core function is straightforward: it states that the provisions of Part 3 of the Act are to come into and remain in operation on 20 October 2022. This indicates that Part 3 contains the operative requisition powers and related procedural/legal consequences that the State may need during the relevant period.
What Are the Key Provisions?
Section 1 (Citation) identifies the instrument. This is a standard provision in Singapore legislation, ensuring that the Order can be cited properly as the “Requisition of Resources (No. 3) Order 2022”. For practitioners, the citation is important for locating the correct subsidiary instrument and for cross-referencing it in pleadings, advice, or compliance documentation.
Section 2 (Date of requisition) is the substantive operative provision in the extract. It provides that the provisions of Part 3 of the Act are to come into and remain in operation on 20 October 2022. The phrase “come into and remain in operation” is legally significant: it suggests that once Part 3 becomes effective on that date, it continues to apply (at least until it is later amended, revoked, or otherwise replaced by subsequent orders or legislative changes).
Practically, this means that from 20 October 2022, the legal framework in Part 3 becomes available for use by the competent authorities under the Act. Although the extract does not reproduce Part 3 itself, the structure of requisition legislation generally means that Part 3 would set out the mechanisms for requisition—such as the authority to require resources, the form of requisition notices, the obligations imposed on affected persons, and any compensation or procedural safeguards.
“Made on 6 October 2022” (the signature block) indicates that the Minister for Defence approved the Order shortly before the operational date. This timing is typical: it allows the State to prepare for the activation of Part 3 while providing legal certainty to affected parties about when the regime begins. For lawyers, the made date can matter when assessing whether any preparatory steps were taken before the effective date, and whether any actions taken in the interim could be challenged as premature or ultra vires.
Finally, the enacting formula confirms the legal basis: the Minister for Defence acts “in exercise of the powers conferred by section 2 of the Requisition of Resources Act 1985”. This is a critical point for legal validity. If a requisition action is later taken under Part 3, affected parties may seek to test whether the Order was properly made within the scope of the Act’s enabling power. The explicit reference to section 2 supports the Order’s legitimacy and helps practitioners frame arguments about statutory authority.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
Although the extract is brief, the Order’s structure is typical of Singapore subsidiary legislation. It contains:
(1) A citation provision (Section 1), which names the instrument; and
(2) An operative provision (Section 2), which specifies the date on which the relevant provisions of the parent Act are brought into force.
Notably, the Order does not include detailed requisition procedures within itself. Instead, it relies on the parent Act—specifically Part 3—to supply the substantive rules. This “activation order” model is common in statutory frameworks where the State needs flexibility to bring certain powers into effect only when required.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
The Order itself is not directed at a particular class of persons in the extract; rather, it activates Part 3 of the Act. Accordingly, the practical scope of who is affected depends on the definitions and operative provisions within Part 3 of the Requisition of Resources Act 1985.
In general terms, requisition regimes apply to persons who control or provide “resources” within the meaning of the Act—potentially including businesses, service providers, and other entities capable of supplying the resources needed by the State. Once Part 3 is in operation, the competent authority may impose obligations on relevant persons as permitted by the Act. Lawyers advising clients during the effective period would therefore focus on: (i) whether the client falls within the categories covered by Part 3; (ii) whether the client’s resources are within the scope of requisition; and (iii) what procedural steps (notices, directions, timelines) Part 3 requires before obligations crystallise.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
This Order is important because it determines the legal availability of the requisition powers in Part 3 of the Act. Even though the text is short, its effect can be substantial: once Part 3 is in operation, the State may be able to require resources from affected parties, and those parties may face binding legal obligations.
From an enforcement and compliance perspective, the key practical consequence is timing. The Order specifies 20 October 2022 as the date when Part 3 comes into force. For practitioners, this means that any requisition-related actions—such as notices served, directions issued, or obligations imposed—should be assessed against the effective date. If actions were taken before Part 3 was operational, there may be grounds to challenge the authority or the legality of the steps taken, depending on the statutory scheme.
From a litigation and advisory standpoint, the Order also provides a clear statutory anchor for the State’s powers. The explicit reference to section 2 of the Act helps establish that the Minister for Defence acted within the enabling authority. For clients, this can affect risk assessments and strategy: challenges may focus less on whether the Minister had power to make an order (given the express enabling provision) and more on whether the requisition measures taken under Part 3 complied with the detailed requirements of that Part.
Finally, the Order’s “remain in operation” language indicates continuity. That matters for counsel advising on ongoing obligations, record-keeping, and potential compensation claims (if Part 3 provides for compensation). If Part 3 remains active beyond a single day, affected parties may need to treat the regime as ongoing until a later legal instrument changes the position.
Related Legislation
- Requisition of Resources Act 1985 (the parent Act; particularly Part 3 as activated by this Order)
- Requisition of Resources (No. 3) Order 2022 (SL 808/2022) — this instrument
- Legislation Timeline (used to confirm the correct version and effective date context)
Source Documents
This article provides an overview of the Requisition of Resources (No. 3) Order 2022 for legal research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the official text for authoritative provisions.