Statute Details
- Title: Requisition of Resources (No. 6) Order 2019
- Act Code: RRA1985-S696-2019
- Type: Subsidiary Legislation (SL)
- Authorising Act: Requisition of Resources Act (Chapter 273)
- Enacting Authority: Minister for Defence
- Enacting Formula (Power Source): Powers conferred by section 2 of the Requisition of Resources Act
- Order Citation: No. S 696
- SL Number: SL 696/2019
- Date Made: 14 October 2019
- Date of Requisition / Commencement of Operation: 22 October 2019
- Status: Current version as at 27 Mar 2026
What Is This Legislation About?
The Requisition of Resources (No. 6) Order 2019 is a short but legally significant instrument made under Singapore’s Requisition of Resources Act (Chapter 273). In plain terms, it activates a specific “requisition” regime under the Act for a defined period. The Order does not itself set out detailed requisition procedures; instead, it triggers the operation of Part III of the Act so that the State can exercise the powers contemplated by that Part.
Requisition legislation is typically concerned with ensuring that, during emergencies or periods of national need, the Government can secure resources—such as property, services, or other capabilities—by legal compulsion rather than voluntary procurement. The mechanism is designed to be ready and scalable: the Act provides the legal framework, while subsidiary orders bring particular parts of the framework into force when required.
Accordingly, the practical “work” of this Order is to specify when Part III of the Requisition of Resources Act comes into operation and that it remains in operation from that date. For practitioners, the key is understanding that the Order is a gateway document: once Part III is activated, the detailed requisition powers, obligations, and consequences in that Part become enforceable.
What Are the Key Provisions?
Section 1 (Citation) provides the formal name of the instrument: “Requisition of Resources (No. 6) Order 2019.” While this may appear administrative, citation provisions matter for legal certainty. They allow parties, courts, and enforcement agencies to identify the exact subsidiary legislation that activated the relevant statutory powers.
Section 2 (Date of requisition) is the substantive provision. It states that the provisions of Part III of the Act are to come into and remain in operation on 22 October 2019. This wording is crucial. It does not merely indicate a start date; it also indicates continuity—Part III is intended to remain operative from that date (subject to any later orders or statutory limits). In other words, the Order functions as an activation notice for Part III.
The Order also includes the making date (“Made on 14 October 2019”) and the signature of the Permanent Secretary (Defence Development), Ministry of Defence. This confirms that the instrument was properly made by the competent authority under the authorising Act. For lawyers, the competence and proper exercise of delegated powers can be relevant in any challenge to requisition actions, including arguments about whether the triggering order was validly issued.
Finally, the enacting formula indicates that the Minister for Defence acted “in exercise of the powers conferred by section 2 of the Requisition of Resources Act.” This is a reminder that the subsidiary order’s legal effect depends on the scope of the enabling provision. If a practitioner is advising on the legality of requisition steps taken after 22 October 2019, the enabling power in section 2 of the Act—and whether the conditions for activation were satisfied—may be a key interpretive starting point.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
This Order is structured as a typical short subsidiary instrument with a brief enacting formula and only two operative provisions. The structure is:
(1) Citation — identifies the Order.
(2) Date of requisition — activates Part III of the Requisition of Resources Act by specifying the date on which Part III comes into and remains in operation.
Notably, the Order does not contain detailed requisition rules, definitions, or procedural steps. Instead, it relies on the architecture of the parent Act. Practitioners should therefore read this Order together with Part III of the Requisition of Resources Act. The Order tells you when Part III is live; Part III tells you what can be done, by whom, and with what legal consequences.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
Because the Order itself is limited to activating Part III of the Act, its direct “audience” is best understood by reference to the scope of Part III. In general terms, requisition powers under such legislation are aimed at persons and entities who control relevant resources—typically owners, occupiers, operators, or providers of services and property that may be requisitioned when Part III is in force.
Practically, this means that the Order may affect a wide range of stakeholders, including businesses holding assets or providing services that could fall within the requisition framework. The legal obligations and exposure to enforcement will depend on how Part III defines the requisitionable resources and the categories of persons subject to requisition directions. Lawyers should therefore treat this Order as a trigger that potentially expands compliance duties and legal risk for affected resource holders from 22 October 2019 onward.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Although the Requisition of Resources (No. 6) Order 2019 is brief, it is important because it determines the temporal validity of the Government’s requisition powers under Part III of the Requisition of Resources Act. In legal practice, timing is often decisive: a requisition action taken when Part III is not in operation may be challengeable, whereas actions taken after activation are more likely to be supported by statutory authority.
For practitioners advising government agencies, regulated industries, or resource holders, the Order is a key document for establishing whether the requisition regime was properly engaged. It can be relevant in disputes about the legality of requisition directions, the scope of authority exercised, and whether the statutory framework was in force at the material time.
From a compliance perspective, once Part III is activated, affected parties may need to respond to notices, directions, or other administrative steps consistent with Part III. Even where the Order itself does not impose obligations, the activation of Part III can create immediate practical duties—such as cooperation requirements, restrictions on dealing with requisitioned resources, and potential exposure to penalties or other consequences if obligations under Part III are not met.
Finally, the Order illustrates how Singapore uses a layered legislative approach: the Act provides the substantive powers, while subsidiary orders selectively bring those powers into effect. This design supports readiness and flexibility, enabling the State to activate requisition powers when needed without having to legislate anew each time.
Related Legislation
- Requisition of Resources Act (Chapter 273) — the parent Act, including Part III (activated by this Order) and section 2 (the enabling provision for making such orders).
Source Documents
This article provides an overview of the Requisition of Resources (No. 6) Order 2019 for legal research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the official text for authoritative provisions.