Statute Details
- Title: Requisition of Resources (No. 3) Order 2023
- Act Code: RRA1985-S296-2023
- Legislation Type: Subsidiary legislation (SL)
- Authorising Act: Requisition of Resources Act 1985
- Enacting Authority: Minister for Defence
- Key Enabling Provision: Powers conferred by section 2 of the Requisition of Resources Act 1985
- Citation: Requisition of Resources (No. 3) Order 2023
- SL Number: SL 296/2023
- Date Made: 16 May 2023
- Commencement / Operational Date: 31 May 2023 (for Part 3 of the Act)
- Operational Duration: “Come into and remain in operation” on 31 May 2023 (as stated in the Order)
- Status: Current version as at 27 Mar 2026
What Is This Legislation About?
The Requisition of Resources (No. 3) Order 2023 is a Singapore subsidiary instrument made under the Requisition of Resources Act 1985 (“the Act”). In practical terms, it is an activation order: it brings specified provisions of the Act into force for a defined time window. The Order does not itself list requisitioned items or name particular entities. Instead, it determines when the legal machinery in the Act becomes operational.
Under the Act, the Government is empowered to requisition “resources” when required for national defence or other specified public purposes. Such powers are typically time-sensitive and may need to be triggered quickly. The Order is therefore best understood as a procedural and temporal bridge between the standing statutory framework and the actual exercise of requisition powers.
In this particular Order, the Minister for Defence directs that “the provisions of Part 3 of the Act” are to come into and remain in operation on 31 May 2023. This means that, from that date, the legal consequences and operational authorities contained in Part 3 of the Act become available to the relevant decision-makers, subject to the conditions and processes set out in the Act itself.
What Are the Key Provisions?
Section 1 (Citation) provides the formal name of the instrument: “Requisition of Resources (No. 3) Order 2023.” This is standard drafting, but it is important for practitioners because it enables precise referencing in legal documents, correspondence, and any subsequent enforcement or judicial review materials.
Section 2 (Date of requisition) is the substantive operative provision. It states that “the provisions of Part 3 of the Act are to come into and remain in operation on 31 May 2023.” The phrase “come into and remain in operation” indicates that Part 3 is not merely activated for a single day; rather, it is intended to be continuously effective from the stated date, until superseded or otherwise ended by later legislative action or by the operation of the Act’s own expiry/termination mechanisms (if any).
From a legal practice perspective, the key point is that this Order does not define the requisition process. Instead, it turns on the Part 3 regime. Therefore, lawyers must read the Order together with Part 3 of the Requisition of Resources Act 1985 to determine: (i) what powers are triggered; (ii) who may exercise them; (iii) what procedural steps are required (e.g., notices, determinations, or directions); and (iv) what rights and remedies are available to affected persons (e.g., compensation, review, or appeal mechanisms).
Finally, the enacting formula and signature block confirm that the Order was made by the Minister for Defence (or, as shown in the document, signed by the Permanent Secretary (Defence), Ministry of Defence). The Order is “made on 16 May 2023,” which is the date the instrument was executed, while the operational date for Part 3 is 31 May 2023. This separation is common in statutory instruments: it allows administrative preparation between making and commencement.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
This Order is extremely short and contains only two substantive provisions. Structurally, it follows a typical pattern for activation orders under a framework Act:
(1) Section 1 sets out the citation (the name of the instrument).
(2) Section 2 specifies the “date of requisition,” i.e., the date on which the relevant provisions of the Act (here, Part 3) are to come into force and remain in operation.
There are no Parts or schedules within the Order itself. Instead, the substantive content is located in the parent Act—particularly Part 3. Accordingly, the “structure” that matters for practitioners is the relationship between:
- the subsidiary activation instrument (this Order), and
- the framework provisions in the Act (Part 3), which govern the actual requisition powers and procedures.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
Although the Order itself is brief, its effect is directed at the legal regime in Part 3 of the Act. In general terms, requisition powers under such legislation apply to persons and entities that may hold or control “resources” relevant to the Government’s needs—such as suppliers, operators, or owners of assets that can be requisitioned for defence or public purposes.
Practically, the Order’s applicability is therefore indirect: it does not name classes of persons. Instead, it activates the Part 3 provisions that would then apply to any requisition decisions made after 31 May 2023. Lawyers advising potential affected parties should therefore focus on the definitions and procedural requirements in Part 3 of the Act, and on any subsequent requisition notices or directions issued under that activated authority.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
This Order is important because it determines when the Government can lawfully rely on the Part 3 requisition framework. Even though it is only two sections long, it has potentially significant consequences for affected stakeholders. Requisition powers can affect property rights, contractual arrangements, and operational continuity—especially where resources are time-critical.
For practitioners, the key significance lies in timing and legal readiness. The Order was made on 16 May 2023 but activated Part 3 on 31 May 2023. That gap can matter for compliance planning, internal governance, and preparation for possible requisition notices. If a requisition decision is made after the activation date, affected parties are likely to face stronger legal grounds for the Government’s actions because the statutory provisions are “in operation.”
From an enforcement and dispute-resolution standpoint, activation orders also become central in any challenge. If a person disputes the legality of a requisition, one of the first questions will be whether the relevant statutory provisions were properly in force at the time the requisition was made. This Order provides the answer for Part 3 as at 31 May 2023. Accordingly, it is a document that should be checked in any case involving requisition actions under the Act during the relevant period.
Related Legislation
- Requisition of Resources Act 1985 (including Part 3)
- Requisition of Resources Act 1985 (as referenced in the authorising provision and activation mechanism)
Source Documents
This article provides an overview of the Requisition of Resources (No. 3) Order 2023 for legal research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the official text for authoritative provisions.