Statute Details
- Title: Requisition of Resources (No. 4) Order 2023
- Legislation Type: Subsidiary legislation (SL)
- Act Code: RRA1985-S546-2023
- 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 546/2023
- Date Made: 21 July 2023
- Commencement / Date of Requisition: Part 3 of the Act to come into and remain in operation on 2 August 2023
- Status: Current version as at 27 Mar 2026
- Parts / Key Sections in the Order: Sections 1 (Citation) and 2 (Date of requisition)
What Is This Legislation About?
The Requisition of Resources (No. 4) Order 2023 is a short, targeted Singapore subsidiary instrument that activates specific powers under the Requisition of Resources Act 1985. In practical terms, it does not create a new regulatory regime by itself; rather, it “turns on” the operation of Part 3 of the Requisition of Resources Act 1985 for a defined period starting on 2 August 2023.
The overall purpose of the Requisition of Resources framework is to enable the Government—particularly the Ministry of Defence—to respond to national needs by requisitioning resources when required. Such resources may include goods, services, or other capabilities that the State may need for defence or other critical purposes. The Order is one of several “No. X” orders that sequentially or periodically bring parts of the Act into force.
Because this Order is an activation instrument, its legal significance lies in its effect: once Part 3 is in operation, the statutory requisition powers become available under the Act. Practitioners should therefore read this Order together with Part 3 of the Act, as the substantive rights, duties, procedures, and enforcement mechanisms are contained in the Act—not in the Order’s brief text.
What Are the Key Provisions?
Section 1 (Citation) provides the formal name of the instrument: the “Requisition of Resources (No. 4) Order 2023”. This is standard legislative drafting and primarily assists with identification, referencing, and citation in legal documents and compliance materials.
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 2 August 2023. The phrase “come into and remain in operation” indicates that the activation is not merely for a single day or short window; it is intended to continue in force from the commencement date until further legal action (for example, another order that brings the relevant provisions to an end, or an amendment to the Act’s operation). In other words, the Order is a mechanism for bringing Part 3 into effect, rather than a one-off procedural step.
From a practitioner’s perspective, the most important legal consequence is that once Part 3 is in operation, the Government may exercise the requisition powers that Part 3 authorises. Those powers typically involve (i) identifying resources needed for national purposes, (ii) issuing requisition notices or directions, and (iii) imposing obligations on affected persons or entities to comply. While the extract provided does not reproduce Part 3’s text, the Order’s legal function is to ensure that Part 3 is enforceable and operational.
It is also relevant that the Order is made by the Minister for Defence and is expressly grounded in section 2 of the Requisition of Resources Act 1985. This matters for administrative law and validity: the Minister’s authority is not assumed; it is conferred by the Act. Any challenge to the requisition regime would therefore likely focus on whether the statutory conditions for activation and subsequent requisition actions are satisfied, and whether the Minister acted within the scope of the enabling power.
Finally, the Order includes a “made on” date (21 July 2023) and a commencement date (2 August 2023). This gap is legally meaningful: it confirms that the instrument was executed before it took effect, allowing for administrative preparation and ensuring that the activation date is clear and ascertainable.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
The Order is structured in a conventional two-section format:
(1) Section 1 sets out the citation (the short title).
(2) Section 2 sets out the date of requisition, i.e., the commencement and continuation of Part 3 of the Act.
Although the Order itself is brief, it is best understood as part of a broader legislative architecture. The Requisition of Resources Act 1985 contains the substantive framework, including the powers, procedures, and consequences. The Order functions as a “switch” that brings a particular Part of the Act into operation. In practice, lawyers should treat the Order as a procedural/legal trigger and then consult the corresponding Part of the Act to determine:
- what resources may be requisitioned;
- who may be required to provide them;
- what notice or direction mechanisms apply;
- what compensation (if any) is payable;
- what offences or enforcement measures exist for non-compliance;
- what review or appeal mechanisms (if any) are available.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
This Order applies to the extent that it activates Part 3 of the Requisition of Resources Act 1985. While the Order itself does not name categories of persons, the Act’s Part 3 typically governs the relationship between the State and persons or entities that control, supply, or can provide relevant resources. In practical terms, this can include businesses, service providers, contractors, and other stakeholders whose assets or capabilities may be requisitioned for national needs.
Accordingly, the Order’s applicability is best analysed by reference to the Act’s Part 3 definitions and operative provisions. For counsel advising affected parties, the key question is not merely whether the Order exists, but whether Part 3’s requisition powers are being exercised against the client—through a requisition notice, direction, or other formal instrument under the Act.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Although the Requisition of Resources (No. 4) Order 2023 is short, it is legally significant because it enables the Government to deploy coercive requisition powers under the Act. Such powers can directly affect commercial operations, supply chains, staffing, and contractual performance. For businesses, the activation of Part 3 can therefore be a compliance and risk-management issue, even before any specific requisition is issued.
From an enforcement perspective, once Part 3 is in operation, the State’s ability to require compliance is grounded in statute. This reduces the room for affected parties to argue that the requisition regime is not yet legally effective. For lawyers, this means that advice must focus on the substantive requisition process: whether proper notices were issued, whether the requisition is within scope, whether statutory procedures were followed, and whether any compensation or procedural safeguards apply.
From a governance and administrative law perspective, the Order also illustrates how Singapore uses subsidiary instruments to manage readiness and responsiveness. By bringing Part 3 into operation on a specified date, the Government can ensure that the legal framework is available when needed, without permanently keeping all requisition powers active at all times. Practitioners should therefore consider the broader pattern of “No. X” orders and how they interact with the Act’s structure and any subsequent amendments or revocations.
Finally, the Order’s “current version as at 27 Mar 2026” status indicates that the instrument remains part of the accessible legal record and may have relevance for historical compliance, audits, and disputes about actions taken during the period when Part 3 was in operation from 2 August 2023. In litigation or regulatory proceedings, the existence and effective date of such an Order can be critical evidence of legal authority.
Related Legislation
- Requisition of Resources Act 1985 (including Part 3, which is activated by this Order)
- Requisition of Resources (No. 4) Order 2023 (SL 546/2023) — the activation instrument
Source Documents
This article provides an overview of the Requisition of Resources (No. 4) Order 2023 for legal research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the official text for authoritative provisions.