Statute Details
- Title: Requisition of Resources (No. 4) Order 2022
- Legislation Type: Subsidiary legislation (SL)
- Act Code: RRA1985-S925-2022
- Authorising Act: Requisition of Resources Act 1985
- Enacting Authority: Minister for Defence
- Legal Basis: Powers conferred by section 2 of the Requisition of Resources Act 1985
- SL Citation: SL 925/2022
- Date Made: 11 October 2022
- Commencement / Date of Requisition: 3 December 2022 (for Part 3 of the Act)
- Operational Effect: Part 3 provisions “come into and remain in operation” from 3 December 2022
- Status: Current version as at 27 Mar 2026
What Is This Legislation About?
The Requisition of Resources (No. 4) Order 2022 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 period starting on a particular date.
Unlike a standalone statute that creates a complete regulatory scheme, this Order does not itself set out the detailed requisition powers. Instead, it relies on the Act’s pre-existing framework and “switches on” the relevant part of that framework. The Order therefore functions as a legal trigger for government requisition powers—powers that may be used in circumstances involving national defence or other situations contemplated by the Act.
From the extract provided, the key operative feature is that “Part 3 of the Act” is to come into and remain in operation on and from 3 December 2022. This means that the legal consequences, procedural steps, and authority described in Part 3 become applicable during the period when Part 3 is in operation.
What Are the Key Provisions?
Section 1 (Citation) is a standard provision confirming the name of the instrument: the “Requisition of Resources (No. 4) Order 2022”. While not substantive, it is important for legal referencing, filing, and citation in correspondence, notices, and court or tribunal materials.
Section 2 (Date of requisition) is the core provision. It states that the provisions of Part 3 of the Act are to “come into and remain in operation” on 3 December 2022. The phrase “come into and remain in operation” is legally significant: it indicates that Part 3 is not merely to commence on that date, but is intended to continue to apply thereafter (subject to any later orders, amendments, or statutory termination mechanisms within the Act).
In other words, the Order does not describe what resources may be requisitioned or how requisition notices are served. Those details are located in the Act—specifically in Part 3. The Order’s role is to activate that Part. For practitioners, this means that legal advice or compliance work must be anchored in both instruments: the Order (for the “when”) and the Act’s Part 3 (for the “what” and “how”).
Enacting formula and authorisation confirm that the Minister for Defence made the Order in exercise of powers under section 2 of the Act. This is a key validity point. If a requisition action is later challenged, one of the first questions will be whether the enabling authority was properly invoked and whether the requisition powers were activated in accordance with the Act. The Order’s reference to section 2 of the Act helps establish the statutory chain of authority.
Date made versus date of operation is also relevant. The Order was “made on 11 October 2022” but Part 3 is to operate from 3 December 2022. This gap can matter for questions about whether any requisition-related steps taken between those dates were lawful. Typically, the activation date governs when Part 3 powers can be exercised, unless the Act provides for preparatory steps or other transitional arrangements.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
This Order is structured in a minimal, two-section format typical of activation or commencement orders. It contains:
(1) A citation provision (Section 1), identifying the instrument; and
(2) An operative commencement provision (Section 2), specifying the date on which Part 3 of the Act comes into and remains in operation.
Although the extract does not show “Parts” within the Order itself (it states “Parts: N/A”), the Order’s structure is best understood by reference to the Act. The Order points to Part 3 of the Act as the operative body of substantive law. Therefore, the legal architecture is effectively layered:
- Primary legislation: Requisition of Resources Act 1985 (contains the requisition framework)
- Subsidiary activation instrument: Requisition of Resources (No. 4) Order 2022 (activates Part 3 from a specified date)
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
Because the Order activates Part 3 of the Act, its practical reach will depend on the categories of persons and resources covered by Part 3. In general, requisition regimes typically apply to owners, occupiers, or persons in possession/control of resources that the government may need for defence or other specified purposes. The Order itself does not list categories; it activates the Act’s Part 3 provisions, which would define the scope.
Accordingly, the Order applies to any person or entity to the extent that Part 3 confers powers that can be exercised against them. For legal practitioners, the correct approach is to read the Order together with Part 3 of the Act and identify: (i) who may be subjected to requisition; (ii) what procedural steps must be followed; (iii) what rights of objection, review, or compensation exist; and (iv) any reporting or record-keeping requirements.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Although the Requisition of Resources (No. 4) Order 2022 is brief, it is legally consequential. Requisition powers can have significant impacts on businesses, property rights, supply chains, and contractual arrangements. When Part 3 is in operation, government authorities may be empowered to take or control resources in a manner contemplated by the Act.
From a practitioner’s perspective, the Order’s importance lies in its role as a timing and validity trigger. If a requisition notice or enforcement action is taken, the affected party will often need to confirm that the relevant statutory provisions were indeed in force at the time of the action. The Order provides the activation date—3 December 2022—and therefore supports arguments about whether the authority acted within the period when Part 3 applied.
In addition, the Order illustrates how Singapore’s requisition framework can be activated by subsidiary instruments. This can affect compliance planning: regulated entities may need to monitor the legislation timeline and track subsequent “No. X” Orders that activate or modify the operation of different parts of the Act. The extract indicates that the instrument is “current version as at 27 Mar 2026,” which suggests that the legal record is maintained and that practitioners should verify whether later amendments or replacement orders exist.
Finally, because the Order is made by the Minister for Defence under a specific enabling provision (section 2 of the Act), it is also relevant to administrative law considerations. Challenges to requisition actions may involve questions of statutory interpretation, procedural compliance, and whether the activation was properly effected. The Order’s explicit reference to the enabling power helps clarify the legislative intent and the legal basis for activation.
Related Legislation
- Requisition of Resources Act 1985 (including Part 3 and section 2 as the enabling provision)
Source Documents
This article provides an overview of the Requisition of Resources (No. 4) Order 2022 for legal research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the official text for authoritative provisions.