Statute Details
- Title: Requisition of Resources (No. 6) Order 2023
- Act Code: RRA1985-S676-2023
- Type: Subsidiary Legislation (SL)
- Status: Current version as at 27 Mar 2026
- Authorising Act: Requisition of Resources Act 1985
- Enacting formula: Made by the Minister for Defence in exercise of powers under section 2 of the Requisition of Resources Act 1985
- Order citation: SL 676/2023
- Date of making: 5 October 2023
- Key operative date: Part 3 of the Act to come into and remain in operation on 24 October 2023
What Is This Legislation About?
The Requisition of Resources (No. 6) Order 2023 is a Singapore subsidiary legislation instrument that activates a specific set of powers contained in the Requisition of Resources Act 1985. In practical terms, it is a “trigger” order: it brings Part 3 of the Act into force for a defined period starting on a particular date.
Requisition legislation is typically designed for national preparedness. When activated, it allows the State to require certain resources—such as goods, services, or other capabilities—under conditions that support defence, security, or emergency needs. The Order itself is short, but it is legally significant because it determines when the more detailed requisition regime in the parent Act becomes operative.
Although the extract provided contains only the citation and the operative commencement provision, the legal effect is clear: once the Order takes effect, the provisions of Part 3 of the Requisition of Resources Act 1985 apply “to come into and remain in operation” from 24 October 2023. Lawyers should therefore read the Order together with Part 3 of the Act to understand the full scope of requisition powers, procedural requirements, and any compensation or safeguards that the Act provides.
What Are the Key Provisions?
Section 1 (Citation) provides the formal name of the instrument: the “Requisition of Resources (No. 6) Order 2023.” This is standard drafting, but it matters for legal referencing, especially where multiple “No. X” orders exist over time.
Section 2 (Date of requisition) is the operative provision in the extract. It states that “the provisions of Part 3 of the Act are to come into and remain in operation on 24 October 2023.” This language performs two legal functions:
- Commencement: Part 3 is not automatically in force; it is activated by the Order. The commencement date is fixed as 24 October 2023.
- Continuing operation: the phrase “come into and remain in operation” indicates that Part 3 is intended to have ongoing effect from that date, rather than being limited to a single day. The duration is not specified in the extract, so the lawyer must consult the parent Act (including any provisions on duration, termination, or revocation) and any subsequent orders.
Enacting formula and making authority are also crucial. The Order is made “in exercise of the powers conferred by section 2 of the Requisition of Resources Act 1985” by the Minister for Defence. This confirms that the legal basis for activating Part 3 is statutory and delegated to the Minister for Defence. For practitioners, this is important when assessing validity, procedural compliance, and whether the correct decision-maker exercised the power.
Making date vs. commencement date is another practical point. The Order was “Made on 5 October 2023,” but Part 3 is to operate from “24 October 2023.” This gap suggests a deliberate lead time for administrative preparation and for affected parties to adjust to the impending legal regime. In disputes, the distinction between the date of making and the date of operation can matter for questions such as notice, reliance, and whether actions taken between those dates were lawful.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
This instrument is structured as a short order with an enacting formula and two numbered provisions. In the extract, the structure is:
- Enacting formula: identifies the Minister for Defence and the statutory power under section 2 of the Requisition of Resources Act 1985.
- Section 1 (Citation): names the Order.
- Section 2 (Date of requisition): specifies the commencement and continuing operation of Part 3 of the Act on 24 October 2023.
Because the Order is a “commencement/activation” instrument, it does not itself set out the requisition mechanics. Instead, it relies on the parent Act’s internal structure—particularly Part 3. Accordingly, a practitioner should treat the Order as part of a two-layer legal framework: (1) the Order activates Part 3, and (2) Part 3 contains the substantive requisition powers and procedures.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
The Order applies indirectly to persons and entities that may be subject to requisition under Part 3 of the Requisition of Resources Act 1985 once it is in operation. While the extract does not describe categories of affected parties, requisition regimes typically target those who control or can provide relevant resources—such as suppliers of goods, providers of services, operators of facilities, or other stakeholders capable of meeting requisition demands.
In legal practice, the key question is not merely who the Order names (it does not name any class in the extract), but who falls within the scope of Part 3 once activated. Therefore, lawyers should review Part 3 to determine: (i) what resources may be requisitioned, (ii) what authority can issue requisition directions, (iii) what procedural steps must be followed, and (iv) what rights (including compensation, review, or compliance obligations) apply to affected persons.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Even though the Requisition of Resources (No. 6) Order 2023 is brief, it is legally significant because it determines when the State’s requisition powers become available. In national preparedness contexts, the ability to activate requisition mechanisms quickly and lawfully can be essential. The Order provides the formal legal step required to move from a dormant statutory framework to an operative one.
From a practitioner’s perspective, the Order’s importance lies in its timing and activation effect. The fixed commencement date of 24 October 2023 means that compliance obligations and any legal consequences under Part 3 would begin from that date (subject to any notice or procedural requirements in the Act). If a dispute arises—such as whether a requisition direction was valid, whether a party complied, or whether compensation is payable—chronology will be central.
The Order also illustrates how Singapore uses subsidiary legislation to manage operational readiness. By issuing numbered “No. X” orders, the Minister for Defence can activate Part 3 at different times, potentially in response to evolving circumstances. This approach allows the legal regime to be tailored temporally without amending the parent Act each time. For lawyers advising clients in regulated sectors (logistics, supply chains, defence-related industries, or critical services), understanding these activation orders is critical for risk management and contractual planning.
Related Legislation
- Requisition of Resources Act 1985 (including Part 3, which is activated by this Order)
- Requisition of Resources Act 1985 (as referenced in the authorising provision under section 2)
Source Documents
This article provides an overview of the Requisition of Resources (No. 6) Order 2023 for legal research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the official text for authoritative provisions.