Statute Details
- Title: Requisition of Resources (No. 4) Order 2017
- Act Code: RRA1985-S475-2017
- Type: Subsidiary Legislation (SL)
- Authorising Act: Requisition of Resources Act (Chapter 273)
- Enacting authority: Minister for Defence
- Enacting formula (power used): Powers conferred by section 2 of the Requisition of Resources Act
- Legislation number: SL 475/2017
- Made date: 18 July 2017
- Commencement / requisition date: 29 August 2017 (Part III of the Act to come into and remain in operation)
- Status: Current version as at 27 Mar 2026 (per the legislation portal)
- Key provisions (from extract): Sections 1 and 2
What Is This Legislation About?
The Requisition of Resources (No. 4) Order 2017 is a Singapore subsidiary legislation instrument made under the Requisition of Resources Act (Chapter 273). In plain terms, it is an administrative legal “switch” that activates a specific part of the parent Act—namely, Part III—for a defined period starting on a particular date.
Requisition regimes are typically designed for national preparedness. They allow the State, in situations where resources are needed for defence or other critical purposes, to require certain resources from persons or organisations. While the extract provided for this Order is brief, it clearly indicates the legal mechanism: the Minister for Defence orders that the provisions of Part III of the Act “come into and remain in operation” from 29 August 2017.
Practitioners should view this Order not as a standalone regulatory scheme, but as a triggering instrument that brings into effect the operative requisition powers contained in the parent Act. The Order itself contains only the formal citation and the activation date; the substantive rights and obligations arise from the Requisition of Resources Act, particularly Part III.
What Are the Key Provisions?
Section 1 (Citation) provides the short title: “Requisition of Resources (No. 4) Order 2017.” This is standard legislative drafting and is mainly relevant for referencing the instrument in legal documents, notices, and compliance materials.
Section 2 (Date of requisition / activation of Part III) is the core provision. It states that the provisions of Part III of the Act are to come into and remain in operation on 29 August 2017. The phrase “come into and remain in operation” is legally significant: it indicates that once Part III is activated on that date, it continues to apply (subject to any later orders or the structure of the parent Act) rather than being a one-off or temporary activation.
Although the extract does not reproduce Part III itself, the Order’s legal effect is to make Part III’s requisition framework operative. In practice, this means that the Minister (or other authorised persons under the Act) may be empowered to issue requisition directions, require compliance by relevant stakeholders, and impose duties that would otherwise be dormant until Part III is activated.
Making and signature: The Order was “Made on 18 July 2017” and signed by NEO KIAN HONG, Permanent Secretary (Defence Development), Ministry of Defence. This matters for validity and for practitioners assessing whether the instrument was properly authorised and executed. The enacting formula confirms that the Minister for Defence exercised powers under section 2 of the Requisition of Resources Act.
Practical legal takeaway: When Part III is in operation, the legal consequences for affected persons are governed by the parent Act’s Part III provisions. The Order functions as the legal gateway that activates those consequences. Therefore, to advise clients, lawyers must read this Order together with Part III of the Requisition of Resources Act and any related subsidiary instruments, notices, or directions issued under that framework.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
This Order is structured in a minimal, two-section format typical of activation orders. It contains:
(1) Section 1: the citation (short title).
(2) Section 2: the date of requisition/activation, specifying that Part III of the parent Act comes into and remains in operation on 29 August 2017.
There are no schedules, definitions, or operational procedures in the extract. The structure indicates that the Order is intended to be read as a complement to the Requisition of Resources Act rather than as a complete regulatory code. The “real” operational content—such as who can requisition, what can be requisitioned, how requisitions are made, and what duties and remedies apply—will be found in Part III of the Act.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
The Order itself is addressed to the legal effect of activating Part III of the Requisition of Resources Act. As a result, its direct applicability depends on the scope of Part III. Generally, requisition legislation applies to persons, organisations, or holders of resources that fall within the categories of resources contemplated by the parent Act—such as resources needed for defence or other specified purposes.
For practitioners, the key is to identify the classes of affected parties under Part III: typically, those who possess, control, or can provide the relevant resources. The Order does not list those classes; it merely activates the legal regime. Accordingly, legal advice should be grounded in the definitions and operative provisions in Part III, including any requirements for notice, compliance, compensation (if any), and enforcement mechanisms.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Requisition powers are among the most consequential tools available to the State in preparedness and emergency contexts. Even when an Order is brief, its legal impact can be substantial because it activates a statutory framework that may require affected parties to provide resources, comply with directions, or otherwise participate in meeting national needs.
From a compliance and risk perspective, the importance of this Order lies in its function as a trigger. Once Part III is in operation, obligations that would otherwise not apply become enforceable. For lawyers advising businesses—particularly those involved in logistics, supply chains, utilities, transport, or other resource-intensive sectors—the activation date can affect contractual planning, operational readiness, and the handling of potential requisition notices.
From an enforcement and dispute perspective, the activation of Part III also affects how parties may challenge requisition actions. If a client is subject to a requisition direction, the validity of that direction may depend on whether the statutory prerequisites were satisfied at the relevant time—one of which is that Part III was properly in operation pursuant to instruments like this Order. Therefore, this Order can be central evidence in any legal analysis of requisition legality, timing, and procedural compliance.
Finally, because the Order is “current version as at 27 Mar 2026” on the portal, practitioners should confirm whether there have been subsequent amendments or replacement orders affecting the continuing operation of Part III. Even if this Order remains on the statute record, the practical legal landscape may change through later instruments. A careful version check is therefore essential when advising on current obligations.
Related Legislation
- Requisition of Resources Act (Chapter 273) (including Part III, which this Order activates)
- Requisition of Resources Act (section 2) — the authorising provision for making orders that bring Part III into operation
Source Documents
This article provides an overview of the Requisition of Resources (No. 4) Order 2017 for legal research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the official text for authoritative provisions.