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
- SL Citation: SL 296/2023
- Date Made: 16 May 2023
- Commencement / Operational Date: 31 May 2023 (for Part 3 of the Act)
- Operational Duration: “to come into and remain in operation” on 31 May 2023 (as specified 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 (“RRA 1985”). In plain language, it is a legal “switch” that activates a specific part of the parent Act—namely Part 3—for a defined period starting on 31 May 2023.
Although the Order itself contains only two substantive provisions, its practical effect can be significant. By bringing Part 3 of the RRA 1985 into operation, the Minister for Defence authorises the legal machinery for requisitioning resources under the parent statute. In general terms, requisition powers are designed for situations where the Government needs to secure essential goods, services, or other resources quickly—often in emergencies, national security contexts, or other circumstances where continuity of critical functions is required.
For practitioners, the key point is that this Order does not operate in isolation. It must be read together with the RRA 1985, because the Order’s function is to determine when Part 3 of the Act becomes operative. The content of the requisition regime—who can requisition, what can be requisitioned, the procedures, and the consequences—resides in the parent Act, not in the Order’s short text.
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 legislative drafting and is mainly relevant for referencing the Order in legal documents, submissions, and compliance records.
Section 2 (Date of requisition) is the 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.” This language indicates that Part 3 is not merely to commence on that date; it is to remain in operation from that point forward, subject to the overall framework of the RRA 1985 and any subsequent orders or amendments.
From a legal interpretation standpoint, the phrase “come into and remain in operation” is important. It suggests continuity: once Part 3 is activated, the requisition powers and related legal effects under that Part are intended to be available without needing a further activation step for each individual requisition. In practice, this means that the Government may rely on Part 3 requisition authority for actions taken on or after 31 May 2023, unless and until Part 3 is later deactivated or replaced by another order.
Enacting formula and authorising power confirm that the Minister for Defence made the Order in exercise of powers under section 2 of the RRA 1985. This is a critical compliance point for lawyers: it establishes the statutory basis for the Minister’s authority to activate Part 3. If a requisition action is later challenged, the Government’s reliance on the enabling provision and the validity of the activation date will likely be central.
Finally, the “Made on 16 May 2023” date and the signature block (Permanent Secretary (Defence), Ministry of Defence) provide evidence of the instrument’s formal enactment. While these details may seem administrative, they can matter in disputes about whether the Order was properly made and by the correct authority.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
The Requisition of Resources (No. 3) Order 2023 is structured as a short subsidiary instrument with a conventional layout:
(1) Enacting formula—sets out the legal basis for making the Order, including the enabling provision in the RRA 1985.
(2) Citation—identifies the Order.
(3) Date of requisition—specifies the commencement and continuing operation of Part 3 of the parent Act.
There are no additional parts, schedules, or detailed procedural provisions in the Order itself. Instead, the Order functions as a commencement/activation instrument. The substantive requisition framework—definitions, requisition procedures, compensation or other legal consequences, and enforcement mechanisms—will be found in Part 3 of the Requisition of Resources Act 1985.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
The Order is directed at the legal system and the Government’s powers rather than at a particular class of persons by name. However, in practical terms, it affects persons and entities that may be subject to requisition under Part 3 of the RRA 1985. This typically includes suppliers, operators, owners, or persons in possession/control of resources that the Government may need to requisition.
Because the Order activates Part 3, the scope of who is affected depends on how Part 3 defines “resources,” “requisition,” and the categories of persons who can be required to comply. Lawyers should therefore treat the Order as the trigger and then consult the relevant provisions of Part 3 to identify:
- which resources may be requisitioned;
- what obligations arise for affected persons;
- what procedural steps (notices, directions, documentation) must be followed; and
- what rights exist (including any compensation, review, or appeal mechanisms).
In other words, the Order’s direct text is brief, but its legal reach is determined by the parent Act’s Part 3 content.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
This Order is important because it demonstrates how Singapore operationalises the Requisition of Resources Act 1985. Requisition powers are often structured so that they can be activated when needed. The Requisition of Resources (No. 3) Order 2023 provides the legal basis for activating Part 3 starting on 31 May 2023, enabling the Government to take requisition-related measures under the RRA 1985.
For practitioners advising businesses, logistics providers, critical infrastructure operators, or any entity that might hold resources relevant to national defence or emergency preparedness, the Order signals that Part 3 requisition authority is available. This can affect contractual planning, risk management, and compliance readiness. For example, counsel may need to consider how requisition directions interact with existing supply agreements, force majeure clauses, and allocation of liability.
For government-facing counsel or those involved in procurement and defence-related planning, the Order is a reminder that requisition authority is time- and activation-dependent. If a requisition action is taken, the validity of the activation (including the correct date and the proper authority) can be critical. Where disputes arise—such as challenges to the legality of requisition, questions about the adequacy of notices, or disputes over compensation—lawyers will likely examine the enabling Order and the parent Act’s Part 3 procedures closely.
Related Legislation
- Requisition of Resources Act 1985 (including Part 3)
- Requisition of Resources (No. 3) Order 2023 (SL 296/2023) — this activation instrument
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.