Statute Details
- Title: Requisition of Resources (No. 4) Order 2025
- Act Code: RRA1985-S604-2025
- Type: Subsidiary Legislation (SL)
- Authorising Act: Requisition of Resources Act 1985
- Enacting authority: Minister for Defence
- Enacting formula (power used): Powers conferred by section 2 of the Requisition of Resources Act 1985
- Order citation: SL 604/2025
- Date made: 19 August 2025
- Status / version: Current version as at 27 March 2026
- Key operative provision: Brings Part 3 of the Act into operation on 20 September 2025 and keeps it in operation
What Is This Legislation About?
The Requisition of Resources (No. 4) Order 2025 is a Singapore subsidiary legislation instrument made under the Requisition of Resources Act 1985 (“the Act”). In practical terms, it is an “activation” order: it does not itself create a new substantive regime from scratch. Instead, it triggers the commencement of specific provisions of the parent Act—namely, Part 3—so that those provisions become legally operative at a specified date.
Under the Act, the Government is empowered to requisition (that is, take or secure) certain resources when required for national needs. The subsidiary order mechanism allows the Minister for Defence to bring the relevant parts of the Act into force when circumstances warrant. This approach provides flexibility: the legal powers exist within the Act, but they are not necessarily operational at all times.
This particular Order—“No. 4” in a series—indicates that multiple activation orders may be issued over time. The numbering is important for practitioners because it suggests that Part 3 may have been activated previously by earlier orders, or that the Act’s provisions may be brought into operation in stages or for different periods. The operative effect of this Order is clear: Part 3 of the Act comes into and remains in operation on 20 September 2025.
What Are the Key Provisions?
Section 1 (Citation) provides the formal name of the instrument: “Requisition of Resources (No. 4) Order 2025.” While this appears administrative, citation provisions matter for legal certainty. They allow lawyers, agencies, and affected parties to identify the exact order being relied upon in correspondence, enforcement actions, or litigation.
Section 2 (Date of requisition) is the core operative clause. It states that “the provisions of Part 3 of the Act are to come into and remain in operation on 20 September 2025.” This language has two legal consequences. First, it fixes the commencement date: Part 3 becomes effective on 20 September 2025. Second, it indicates continuity: Part 3 is not merely temporarily activated for a short window; it “remains in operation,” meaning the powers and obligations in Part 3 continue to apply unless and until the legal framework is altered by a subsequent instrument or other legal mechanism.
Although the extract provided does not reproduce Part 3 itself, the Order’s legal significance is that it activates the Part 3 regime. In a practitioner’s workflow, the next step is to consult the text of Part 3 of the Requisition of Resources Act 1985 to identify: (i) what resources may be requisitioned; (ii) who may requisition them; (iii) the process for requisition (notices, directions, or other formalities); (iv) any compensation or reimbursement mechanism; and (v) any offences, penalties, or compliance duties.
Enacting formula and authority also matter. The Order is made “in exercise of the powers conferred by section 2 of the Requisition of Resources Act 1985.” This confirms that the Minister for Defence is the competent authority to activate Part 3. For legal practitioners, this is relevant when assessing validity: if an order were made by the wrong authority or outside the statutory power, it could be challenged. Here, the instrument expressly grounds itself in the enabling provision.
Finally, the “Made on 19 August 2025” date and the signature by the Permanent Secretary (Defence Development), Ministry of Defence, provide documentary evidence of proper execution. In administrative law terms, such details support the presumption of regularity and help establish that the order was properly promulgated and signed by the authorised official acting for the Minister.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
Structurally, the Order is extremely concise. It contains:
(a) A citation provision (Section 1), which identifies the instrument; and
(b) An operative commencement provision (Section 2), which activates Part 3 of the parent Act on a specified date and keeps it in operation.
There are no schedules, definitions, or procedural steps in the excerpted text because those elements are expected to be located in the parent Act (the Requisition of Resources Act 1985). The Order functions as a “switch” that turns on the operational parts of the Act.
From a legal research perspective, the structure implies that the practitioner must read the Order together with the Act. The Order alone tells you when Part 3 is operative; the Act tells you what Part 3 does.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
The Order itself is directed at the operation of Part 3 of the Act. Therefore, its practical applicability depends on the scope of Part 3. Typically, requisition legislation affects persons and entities that control or supply relevant resources—such as owners, operators, contractors, or other stakeholders who may be required to make resources available to the Government.
Even though the extract does not specify categories of persons, the enabling authority is the Minister for Defence, and the subject matter is “requisition of resources.” In practice, lawyers should assume that the activated provisions may impose duties on private parties and may create compliance obligations, reporting requirements, or restrictions on dealing with requisitioned resources. A careful review of Part 3 is essential to determine the exact class of persons affected and the nature of their obligations.
Additionally, because Part 3 is stated to “remain in operation,” the Order’s effects are not limited to a single event. It likely applies continuously from 20 September 2025 onward, meaning affected parties should treat the requisition powers as active during that period.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
This Order is important because it activates a legal regime that can have direct operational and economic consequences. Requisition powers can affect property rights, contractual arrangements, and supply chains. When Part 3 is in operation, the Government may be able to compel the availability of resources for national needs, subject to the safeguards and procedures set out in the Act.
For practitioners, the key significance lies in timing and legal certainty. The Order provides a clear commencement date—20 September 2025—so parties can determine when the enhanced powers and obligations begin. This is crucial for disputes about whether a requisition direction was lawful at the time it was issued, whether compliance was required, and whether any compensation or procedural steps were triggered.
It also matters for risk management and advisory work. Businesses that may hold or manage relevant resources should monitor such activation orders. If Part 3 is “in operation” continuously, then compliance planning, internal escalation procedures, and contract clauses (including force majeure, termination, and indemnity provisions) may need to be reviewed to account for the possibility of requisition.
Finally, the Order illustrates how Singapore uses subsidiary legislation to manage the activation of sensitive powers. While the Act establishes the framework, subsidiary orders allow the Government to respond to changing circumstances. From a governance perspective, this can be seen as balancing preparedness with legal control: the powers exist in law, but their practical exercise is tied to formal activation.
Related Legislation
- Requisition of Resources Act 1985 (including Part 3 and section 2, which provides the enabling power for the Minister for Defence to make requisition orders)
- Requisition of Resources (No. 4) Order 2025 (SL 604/2025) — activation of Part 3 on 20 September 2025
Source Documents
This article provides an overview of the Requisition of Resources (No. 4) Order 2025 for legal research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the official text for authoritative provisions.