Statute Details
- Title: Requisition of Resources (No. 3) Order 2024
- Act Code: RRA1985-S932-2024
- Type: Subsidiary legislation (SL)
- Authorising Act: Requisition of Resources Act 1985
- Enacting authority: Minister for Defence
- Enacting provision: Powers under section 2 of the Requisition of Resources Act 1985
- Citation: SL 932/2024
- Date of making: 23 October 2024
- Date of requisition / operational date: 4 December 2024
- Current status (as per extract): Current version as at 27 Mar 2026
What Is This Legislation About?
The Requisition of Resources (No. 3) Order 2024 is a Singapore subsidiary legislation instrument made under the Requisition of Resources Act 1985 (“RRA 1985”). In plain terms, it is an administrative legal mechanism that “activates” specific parts of the parent Act for a defined period. Rather than creating an entirely new regulatory scheme, the Order brings the relevant provisions of the Act into force on a particular date.
From the extract provided, the Order specifically states that “the provisions of Part 3 of the Act” are to come into and remain in operation on 4 December 2024. This indicates that Part 3 of the RRA 1985 contains the substantive legal powers and procedures for requisitioning resources. The Order therefore functions as the trigger that makes those requisition powers legally operative.
Orders of this type are typically used in contingency planning and national security contexts. They allow the Government to prepare for circumstances where it may need to secure goods, services, or other “resources” quickly. The legal effect is significant: once Part 3 is in operation, the State can exercise the requisition powers contemplated by the Act, subject to the Act’s safeguards and procedural requirements.
What Are the Key Provisions?
Section 1 (Citation) provides the formal name of the instrument: “Requisition of Resources (No. 3) Order 2024.” This is standard legislative drafting. For practitioners, the citation is important for accurate referencing in correspondence, legal submissions, and compliance documentation.
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 4 December 2024.” The phrase “come into and remain in operation” signals that Part 3 is not merely temporarily activated for a single day; rather, it is brought into force and continues to operate (presumably until further legislative action or until the parent Act’s conditions for continuation/cessation are met). The extract does not specify an end date, so the duration is governed by the RRA 1985 itself and any subsequent orders or amendments.
Although the extract does not reproduce the text of Part 3 of the RRA 1985, the legal significance is clear: Part 3 contains the operative requisition framework. In practice, once Part 3 is in force, affected persons (for example, owners or operators of relevant resources) may face lawful demands to provide resources, comply with requisition notices, and follow any procedural steps for valuation, compensation, or dispute resolution that the Act provides.
Enacting formula and authority confirm that the Minister for Defence makes the Order “in exercise of the powers conferred by section 2 of the Requisition of Resources Act 1985.” This matters for validity and challenge. If a requisition is later made under Part 3, the legal chain of authority typically relies on (i) the parent Act granting power and (ii) the subsidiary order properly activating the relevant Part. A practitioner assessing the legality of any requisition action would therefore examine whether the Order was validly made, properly cited, and correctly brought Part 3 into operation on the stated date.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
The Order is extremely concise and consists of two sections:
(1) Section 1: sets out the citation (the formal title).
(2) Section 2: sets out the “date of requisition” and the legal activation of Part 3 of the RRA 1985.
Structurally, this is a classic “activation order” model. The substantive rights and obligations are not contained in the Order itself; they are contained in the parent Act (here, Part 3 of the RRA 1985). The Order’s role is to determine when those substantive provisions become operative.
For legal research and compliance, this means that reading the Order alone is insufficient. A practitioner must cross-reference the Requisition of Resources Act 1985, particularly Part 3, to understand the actual requisition powers, procedural requirements, and any compensation or review mechanisms.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
Because the Order activates Part 3 of the RRA 1985, its practical scope depends on who Part 3 targets. Typically, requisition legislation applies to persons who control or supply “resources” that may be needed for defence or other national purposes. This can include owners, operators, contractors, manufacturers, transport providers, and other stakeholders in relevant supply chains.
However, the Order itself does not list categories of persons or resources. Instead, it operates as a legal switch. Therefore, the best way to determine who is affected is to consult Part 3 of the RRA 1985 and identify: (i) the definition of “resources” under the Act, (ii) the persons who may be required to provide them, and (iii) the procedural steps (such as notices, orders, or directions) that must be followed.
In addition, the Order is made by the Minister for Defence, which suggests that the requisition powers are linked to defence-related needs. Accordingly, affected parties should anticipate that requisition actions may be directed toward resources relevant to defence readiness, emergency preparedness, or other defence contingencies contemplated by the Act.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Even though the Order is brief, it can have substantial real-world consequences. Requisition powers are inherently intrusive: they can compel private parties to provide resources, potentially disrupt commercial operations, and require rapid compliance. The legal importance of the Order lies in its function as the formal instrument that brings the requisition regime into force.
For practitioners, the Order is also important because it affects timing and validity. If a requisition notice or direction is issued after Part 3 is activated, the State’s authority is likely supported by the Order. Conversely, if an action is taken outside the period when Part 3 is in operation, there may be grounds to challenge legality or procedural compliance. Therefore, the stated date—4 December 2024—is a critical fact for any dispute involving requisition.
Finally, the Order’s “No. 3” numbering suggests there were earlier requisition orders. This can matter in litigation or administrative review where parties argue about continuity, frequency, or the Government’s reliance on the requisition framework. While the extract does not provide details of prior orders, a practitioner should consider the broader legislative timeline to understand whether Part 3 has been activated previously and whether any subsequent orders modify, extend, or replace the activation.
Related Legislation
- Requisition of Resources Act 1985 (including Part 3)
- Timeline (legislation timeline referenced in the extract; relevant for confirming the correct version as at specific dates)
Source Documents
This article provides an overview of the Requisition of Resources (No. 3) Order 2024 for legal research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the official text for authoritative provisions.