Statute Details
- Title: Requisition of Resources (No. 4) Order 2018
- Act Code: RRA1985-S221-2018
- Legislation Type: Subsidiary Legislation (SL)
- Authorising Act: Requisition of Resources Act (Chapter 273)
- Enacting Formula (Power Used): Powers conferred by section 2 of the Requisition of Resources Act
- Key Provisions in Extract: Section 1 (Citation); Section 2 (Date of requisition / commencement and duration of Part III)
- Made Date: 17 April 2018
- Commencement / Requisition Date (as stated): Part III of the Act to come into and remain in operation on 24 April 2018
- Current Status (as per metadata): Current version as at 27 Mar 2026
- Related Legislation (as indicated): Requisition of Resources Act; “Timeline” / Authorising Act (as per platform metadata)
What Is This Legislation About?
The Requisition of Resources (No. 4) Order 2018 is a short but legally significant instrument. In substance, it activates a specific portion of Singapore’s Requisition of Resources Act (Chapter 273)—namely Part III—for a defined period starting on 24 April 2018. The Order does not itself set out detailed requisition procedures; instead, it functions as a “switch” that brings the relevant statutory regime into force.
Requisition legislation is typically designed for national preparedness. It provides the Government with legal authority to secure resources—such as property, services, or other capabilities—when required for defence, security, or other urgent public purposes. The key point for practitioners is that the Order’s legal effect is to determine when the requisition powers in Part III become operational, and that effect is triggered by the Minister for Defence under the authority granted by section 2 of the Act.
Because this Order is numbered “(No. 4)”, it sits within a series of similar instruments. Each “No.” order usually corresponds to a particular activation date or tranche of operational readiness. Lawyers should therefore read the Order together with the underlying Act, especially Part III, to understand the rights, obligations, and procedural safeguards that apply once the Order takes effect.
What Are the Key Provisions?
Section 1 (Citation) is a standard provision. It identifies the instrument as the Requisition of Resources (No. 4) Order 2018. While not substantive, citation matters for legal referencing, compliance documentation, and for distinguishing this Order from other “No.” orders.
Section 2 (Date of requisition) is the operative clause in the extract. It provides that the provisions of Part III of the Act are to come into and remain in operation on 24 April 2018. This language is crucial. It indicates both commencement (“come into … operation”) and continuing effect (“remain in operation”). In other words, once Part III is activated on 24 April 2018, it is not merely a one-day or temporary activation; it is intended to remain operative unless and until superseded by later legal instruments or by the operation of the Act itself.
Practically, the legal consequences of Section 2 depend on what Part III of the Requisition of Resources Act contains. In many requisition frameworks, Part III typically sets out the mechanisms for requisitioning resources, including (depending on the Act’s text) the authority to issue requisition orders, the categories of resources covered, the process for notifying affected persons, and the consequences for non-compliance. It may also cover compensation or valuation principles, and procedural rights or review mechanisms.
For a lawyer advising a government agency, a regulated entity, or a potential requisition target, the key compliance task is to confirm that Part III is indeed the operative part at the relevant time and to map the timeline of actions accordingly. For example, if a requisition notice, direction, or demand is issued after 24 April 2018, the legal basis for that action will likely rely on the powers in Part III as activated by this Order. Conversely, actions taken before the activation date may be challengeable if they purport to rely on Part III powers prematurely.
Finally, the enacting formula indicates that the Minister for Defence makes the Order “in exercise of the powers conferred by section 2 of the Requisition of Resources Act.” This matters for administrative law and validity analysis. If a party challenges the requisition regime, one line of argument may be whether the Minister had the statutory authority to activate Part III and whether the activation was done in accordance with the Act’s requirements. The presence of the explicit statutory power in the enacting formula supports the Order’s formal validity.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
This Order is structured in a very concise manner. It contains:
(1) A citation provision (Section 1), and (2) an operative commencement/activation provision (Section 2). There are no additional schedules or detailed requisition procedures in the extract, because those procedures are located in the parent Act.
From a drafting and legal interpretation perspective, this is a classic model for subsidiary legislation that “turns on” a statutory regime. The Order’s structure is therefore best understood as a temporal activation instrument rather than a standalone regulatory code. Practitioners should read it alongside the Requisition of Resources Act, focusing particularly on Part III, to identify the substantive obligations and powers that become enforceable once the Order takes effect.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
The Order itself is addressed to the legal effect of Part III of the Act. Therefore, its practical applicability extends to persons and entities who may be subject to requisition under Part III once it is activated—typically including owners, operators, or providers of relevant resources within Singapore.
Because the extract does not specify categories of resources, the scope must be determined by the parent Act. In general, requisition legislation applies to those who control or can provide the resources that the Government may need. This can include private companies, public bodies, and potentially individuals, depending on how Part III defines “resources” and the requisition process. Lawyers should therefore treat this Order as a trigger that activates the Act’s Part III regime against the relevant class of persons defined in the Act.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Although the Requisition of Resources (No. 4) Order 2018 is brief, it is important because it determines when the Government’s requisition powers under Part III are legally available. In national preparedness contexts, timing is not a technicality—it can affect the legality of actions taken by public authorities and the rights of affected parties.
For practitioners, the Order is a critical piece of the legal timeline. If advising on the validity of a requisition direction, the enforceability of compliance obligations, or the availability of compensation mechanisms, counsel must establish that Part III was in operation at the relevant time. Section 2’s “come into and remain in operation on 24 April 2018” language provides a clear anchor date for that analysis.
From an enforcement and risk perspective, the activation of Part III may require affected entities to prepare for potential requisition demands, including internal readiness, record-keeping, and liaison with relevant authorities. Even if no requisition occurs, the activation may influence how agencies plan procurement, logistics, and resource allocation. Lawyers advising corporate clients should therefore consider whether the activation date affects contractual arrangements, insurance coverage, force majeure clauses, or compliance planning.
Finally, the Order’s reliance on section 2 of the Act underscores that requisition powers are not open-ended by default; they are activated through a formal legal instrument. That structure can be relevant in disputes, including judicial review or statutory interpretation issues, where parties may argue that the Government must strictly comply with the statutory conditions for activation.
Related Legislation
- Requisition of Resources Act (Chapter 273) — particularly section 2 (power to make orders) and Part III (the substantive requisition regime activated by this Order)
- Requisition of Resources (No. 4) Order 2018 — this instrument (subsidiary legislation activating Part III on 24 April 2018)
Source Documents
This article provides an overview of the Requisition of Resources (No. 4) Order 2018 for legal research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the official text for authoritative provisions.