Statute Details
- Title: Requisition of Resources (No. 5) Order 2017
- Act Code: RRA1985-S569-2017
- Legislation Type: Subsidiary legislation (SL)
- Authorising Act: Requisition of Resources Act (Cap. 273)
- Enacting Authority: Minister for Defence
- Enacting Formula (Key Power): Powers conferred by section 2 of the Requisition of Resources Act
- SL Number: SL 569/2017
- Date Made: 2 October 2017
- Commencement / Date of Requisition: Part III of the Act to come into and remain in operation on 7 October 2017
- Status: Current version as at 27 Mar 2026 (per the legislation portal)
What Is This Legislation About?
The Requisition of Resources (No. 5) Order 2017 is a short but legally significant instrument made under Singapore’s Requisition of Resources Act (Cap. 273). In plain terms, it is an order that activates a specific portion of the parent Act—namely, Part III—for a defined period starting on a particular date.
Unlike a comprehensive statute that sets out broad policy rules in detail, this Order functions as a triggering mechanism. It does not itself create new substantive requisition powers; rather, it brings into force the operational provisions contained in Part III of the Requisition of Resources Act. Those provisions are designed to enable the Government, particularly in defence-related or national security contexts, to requisition resources when circumstances require it.
For practitioners, the practical importance lies in understanding that the Order is part of a wider legislative framework: the Requisition of Resources Act provides the legal architecture, while the various “Requisition of Resources (No. X) Orders” are used to activate the relevant parts of the Act at particular times. This Order is therefore best read together with the parent Act, especially Part III and the enabling provision in section 2.
What Are the Key Provisions?
Section 1 (Citation) is a standard provision confirming the name of the instrument. It states that the document may be cited as the Requisition of Resources (No. 5) Order 2017. While this is not substantive, it is important for legal referencing, pleadings, and compliance documentation.
Section 2 (Date of requisition) is the core operative clause. It provides that “the provisions of Part III of the Act are to come into and remain in operation on 7 October 2017.” This language has two legal effects:
- Commencement: Part III becomes legally operative starting on 7 October 2017.
- Continuing operation: the provisions are to “remain in operation” (i.e., they are not merely temporary for a single day). The exact duration beyond the commencement phrase is typically understood by reference to the parent Act’s scheme and any further orders or cessation provisions in the Act itself.
Enacting formula and enabling power: The Order is made “in exercise of the powers conferred by section 2 of the Requisition of Resources Act.” This matters because it indicates that the Minister for Defence is not acting under general administrative authority; the authority is specifically delegated by the Act. In legal terms, the validity of the Order depends on compliance with the statutory preconditions and the scope of the delegated power in section 2.
Made on 2 October 2017: The Order was made on 2 October 2017 but specifies that Part III comes into operation on 7 October 2017. This gap is common in subsidiary legislation where publication and administrative readiness are required. For practitioners, it is relevant when assessing whether actions taken between 2 October and 7 October could rely on Part III powers (they generally could not, because Part III would not yet be in operation).
How Is This Legislation Structured?
This Order is structured as a very brief instrument with two sections:
- Section 1: Citation.
- Section 2: Date of requisition (activation of Part III of the parent Act).
There are no schedules, definitions, or detailed procedural rules in the extract provided. The substantive requisition framework is located in the Requisition of Resources Act (Cap. 273), particularly Part III. Accordingly, the Order should be treated as a gateway to the operative provisions in the parent Act rather than a self-contained code.
In practice, lawyers should consult:
- Section 2 of the Requisition of Resources Act (the enabling provision for making such orders); and
- Part III of the Requisition of Resources Act (the actual requisition powers, procedures, and consequences).
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
The Order itself is addressed to the legal effect of bringing Part III of the Act into operation. Therefore, its “applicability” is best understood by reference to the persons and entities covered by Part III of the Requisition of Resources Act. Typically, requisition regimes apply to resources and the persons who control, own, possess, or are responsible for those resources—for example, property, services, equipment, or other assets that may be required for defence or national security purposes.
Because Part III is activated on 7 October 2017, any rights, duties, or enforcement mechanisms that Part III creates would apply to relevant stakeholders from that date. Practically, this means that affected parties—such as resource owners, operators, contractors, and potentially government-linked entities—should treat the activation date as the point from which Part III obligations and potential liabilities may arise.
For legal advice, it is also important to consider whether Part III includes procedural safeguards (such as notice requirements, valuation or compensation mechanisms, or review/appeal pathways). Those safeguards will determine how the requisition powers are exercised and what due process is required.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Although the Requisition of Resources (No. 5) Order 2017 is brief, it is important because it activates a statutory regime that can have immediate and material consequences for private parties and public administration. Requisition powers can affect business operations, control of assets, contractual arrangements, and compliance obligations. When Part III is in operation, the Government may be empowered to take steps that would otherwise be unlawful or unavailable.
From an enforcement and compliance perspective, the key legal question is timing. The Order specifies that Part III comes into operation on 7 October 2017. This date can be decisive in disputes about whether requisition-related actions were taken lawfully, whether duties existed at the relevant time, and whether any compensation or procedural steps were triggered.
From a practitioner’s standpoint, this Order also illustrates how Singapore uses a layered legislative approach for sensitive powers. The parent Act provides the framework, while subsidiary orders activate specific parts when needed. This structure can be relevant in judicial review or administrative law contexts: a party challenging the exercise of requisition powers may need to examine not only the conduct of the decision-maker but also whether the correct statutory part was properly activated by an order within the meaning of section 2 of the Act.
Finally, the existence of “(No. 5)” indicates that there are multiple requisition orders over time. Lawyers should therefore check the broader timeline of orders to determine whether Part III was already in operation, whether it was reactivated, or whether the scope or duration changed under subsequent instruments.
Related Legislation
- Requisition of Resources Act (Chapter 273)
- Requisition of Resources Act — section 2 (enabling power for making orders)
- Requisition of Resources Act — Part III (the provisions activated by this Order)
- Requisition of Resources — other “(No. X) Orders” (for timeline and continuity of activation)
Source Documents
This article provides an overview of the Requisition of Resources (No. 5) Order 2017 for legal research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the official text for authoritative provisions.