Statute Details
- Title: Requisition of Resources (No. 6) Order 2017
- Act Code: RRA1985-S618-2017
- Type: Subsidiary Legislation (SL)
- Authorising Act: Requisition of Resources Act (Chapter 273)
- Enacting Formula: Made by the Minister for Defence under section 2 of the Requisition of Resources Act
- Key Provisions in Extract: Section 1 (Citation); Section 2 (Date of requisition / commencement and duration)
- Legislation Number: SL 618/2017
- Date Made: 2 October 2017
- Status: Current version as at 27 Mar 2026 (per the provided extract)
- Commencement / Operational Date (from extract): Part III of the Act to come into and remain in operation on 31 October 2017
What Is This Legislation About?
The Requisition of Resources (No. 6) Order 2017 is a short but legally significant instrument made under Singapore’s Requisition of Resources Act (Cap. 273). In plain language, it is an order that “activates” a particular part of the parent Act—specifically, Part III—so that the powers and mechanisms in that Part become operational on a specified date.
Unlike a typical regulatory statute that sets out detailed obligations for the public, this Order functions primarily as a commencement/activation device. It does not, in the extract provided, impose new substantive duties by itself. Instead, it determines when the provisions of Part III of the Requisition of Resources Act will come into force and continue to operate.
Practically, such orders are commonly used in legislation dealing with national readiness and emergency preparedness. The Requisition of Resources Act is designed to enable the Government, through specified legal powers, to requisition resources (such as services, materials, or other assets) when required for defence or related purposes. This Order is one of a series (“No. 6”) that schedules the operation of Part III for a defined time horizon.
What Are the Key Provisions?
Section 1 (Citation) provides the formal name of the instrument: “Requisition of Resources (No. 6) Order 2017.” This is a standard provision in Singapore subsidiary legislation, ensuring that the Order can be properly cited in legal documents, notices, and proceedings.
Section 2 (Date of requisition) is the core operative clause in the extract. It states that “the provisions of Part III of the Act are to come into and remain in operation on 31 October 2017.” This language does two things at once:
- Commencement: Part III is not automatically in force at all times; it is brought into operation on a specific date (31 October 2017).
- Continuing operation: once activated, Part III “remain[s] in operation” (i.e., it continues to apply after that date). The extract does not specify an end date, which suggests that the continuation is either indefinite until further legal action or governed by the structure of the parent Act.
From a practitioner’s perspective, the legal significance lies in the fact that Part III of the parent Act likely contains the operative requisition powers and procedural framework. When Part III is activated, the Government (and any authorised officers) may be able to issue requisition notices, require compliance, and impose consequences for non-compliance—subject to the safeguards and processes embedded in the Act itself.
Enacting formula and making authority further confirm the legal basis. The Order is made “in exercise of the powers conferred by section 2 of the Requisition of Resources Act,” and it is made by the “Minister for Defence.” This indicates that the activation of Part III is a ministerial decision under statutory authority, rather than a matter of administrative discretion outside the Act.
Made on 2 October 2017 provides the date of signature/approval. The Order is therefore enacted shortly before the activation date (31 October 2017). This timing is consistent with the need to ensure legal readiness ahead of the date on which requisition powers are intended to take effect.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
This Order is structured in a very minimal way, reflecting its function as a commencement/activation instrument. Based on the extract, it contains:
- Section 1: Citation (short title).
- Section 2: Date of requisition (the operative commencement and duration statement for Part III of the parent Act).
There are no additional parts or schedules shown in the extract. The “substance” of what happens to persons affected by requisition is therefore located in the Requisition of Resources Act itself—particularly Part III. The Order’s role is to determine when that Part becomes legally operative.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
Although the Order itself is brief, its practical effect is directed at the population and sectors that could be subject to requisition under Part III of the Requisition of Resources Act. In general terms, this would include persons or entities that control or provide “resources” relevant to defence or related operational needs—such as suppliers of goods, providers of services, or owners/operators of assets that may be requisitioned.
Because the Order activates Part III, its applicability is best understood by reference to the scope and definitions in the parent Act. The Order does not list categories of affected persons; instead, it triggers the operation of the legal regime in Part III. Accordingly, lawyers advising clients should treat the Order as a “switch” that turns on the requisition framework for the relevant period, and then assess the client’s exposure under Part III’s requisition powers, procedures, and any rights of objection, compensation, or compliance requirements.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Even though the Requisition of Resources (No. 6) Order 2017 is short, it is important because it determines the timing of when the Government’s requisition powers under Part III of the Requisition of Resources Act can be exercised. For affected parties, timing matters: compliance obligations, administrative processes, and potential liabilities typically attach once the relevant provisions are in force.
From an enforcement and risk-management perspective, practitioners should note that activation orders like this one can have immediate operational consequences. Businesses that might be requisitioned—directly or indirectly through supply chains—may need to ensure that they can respond to lawful requisition notices, maintain records, and understand the legal basis for any demands made by authorities.
For legal counsel, the Order also underscores the need to check the correct version and timeline. The extract indicates “current version as at 27 Mar 2026,” and references a timeline. In practice, counsel should confirm whether Part III remains in operation beyond the initial activation date, and whether any subsequent orders have modified, extended, or replaced the activation. Where multiple “No.” orders exist, each may correspond to different activation periods or different operational contexts.
Finally, the Order is a reminder that subsidiary legislation can be a critical gateway to substantive rights and obligations. A lawyer who focuses only on the parent Act may miss the fact that the operative provisions are not always active. The Order provides the missing link: it is the legal mechanism that brings Part III into force on a specified date.
Related Legislation
- Requisition of Resources Act (Chapter 273) — the parent Act; this Order activates Part III pursuant to section 2 of the Act.
- Requisition of Resources (Timeline / Orders) — the legislation timeline and any related “Requisition of Resources (No. X) Orders” that may activate or otherwise affect the operation of Part III.
Source Documents
This article provides an overview of the Requisition of Resources (No. 6) Order 2017 for legal research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the official text for authoritative provisions.