Statute Details
- Title: Requisition of Resources (No. 7) Order 2018
- Act Code: RRA1985-S788-2018
- Legislation Type: Subsidiary legislation (Order)
- Enacting Authority: Minister for Defence
- Authorising Act: Requisition of Resources Act (Chapter 273)
- Authorising Provision: Section 2 of the Requisition of Resources Act
- Order Number: (No. 7)
- Gazette/Instrument Reference: SL 788/2018
- Date Made: 17 October 2018
- Commencement/Operational Date: 6 December 2018 (for Part III of the Act)
- Status: Current version as at 27 Mar 2026
What Is This Legislation About?
The Requisition of Resources (No. 7) Order 2018 is a short but operationally significant instrument made under Singapore’s Requisition of Resources Act (Cap. 273). In plain terms, it “activates” a specific part of the parent Act—namely Part III—so that the State’s resource-requisition powers can be used during a particular period or circumstance.
Although the Order itself contains only two substantive provisions, its legal effect is substantial. The Order does not create new requisition powers from scratch; instead, it brings into force the relevant provisions of the Requisition of Resources Act. This is a common legislative technique in Singapore for emergency or contingency frameworks: the parent Act sets out the powers and procedures, while subsidiary orders determine when particular parts become operative.
Practitioners should therefore read this Order together with the Requisition of Resources Act. The Order is best understood as a “switch” that turns on Part III of the Act from a specified date, allowing the Minister for Defence (and other authorised persons under the Act) to exercise the requisition mechanisms provided in Part III.
What Are the Key Provisions?
Section 1 (Citation) provides the formal name of the instrument: “Requisition of Resources (No. 7) Order 2018.” This is standard drafting, but it is important for practitioners when citing the instrument in correspondence, legal submissions, or compliance documentation.
Section 2 (Date of requisition) is the core operative provision. It states that “the provisions of Part III of the Act are to come into and remain in operation on 6 December 2018.” The wording “come into and remain in operation” indicates that Part III is not merely temporarily activated for a single day; rather, it is intended to stay operative from that commencement date, subject to any later orders or legislative changes that may modify or terminate the activation.
From a legal practice perspective, the key point is not the date alone but the scope of activation. Part III of the Requisition of Resources Act will govern the substantive requisition process—typically including the authority to requisition resources, the manner in which requisition notices are issued, the obligations imposed on affected persons, and the legal consequences of non-compliance. Because the Order does not reproduce those details, counsel must consult the parent Act’s Part III to determine the exact procedural steps and rights/obligations.
Enacting formula and authority confirm that the Minister for Defence makes the Order “in exercise of the powers conferred by section 2 of the Requisition of Resources Act.” This matters for validity and administrative law analysis. If a requisition action is later challenged, a court or tribunal would likely examine whether the requisitioning authority relied on the correct enabling provision and whether the relevant part of the Act was properly brought into operation by an order made by the competent Minister.
In addition, the instrument includes a “Made on” date (17 October 2018) and an operational date (6 December 2018). This gap suggests a lead time between making the order and when Part III becomes operative. Practitioners should be alert to whether any requisition-related steps occurred before 6 December 2018, because actions taken before Part III is in operation may be vulnerable to challenge if they purport to rely on powers that were not yet activated.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
This Order is structured as a very brief subsidiary instrument with:
- Section 1: Citation (short title).
- Section 2: Date of requisition / commencement of Part III.
There are no schedules, definitions, or detailed procedural provisions in the Order itself. The structure reflects its purpose: it is not a self-contained code, but a commencement/activation order. The detailed legal framework—who may requisition, what may be requisitioned, how notices are served, compensation arrangements (if any), and enforcement mechanisms—resides in the Requisition of Resources Act, particularly Part III.
Accordingly, when advising clients, lawyers should treat the Order as a “triggering instrument” and map it to the relevant provisions of the parent Act. The practical workflow is: (1) confirm the operative date and whether Part III is in force; (2) identify the requisition authority and procedure under Part III; (3) assess compliance and any statutory remedies or review mechanisms under the Act.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
The Order itself is addressed to the legal effect of bringing Part III of the Requisition of Resources Act into operation. In practice, the persons affected are those who may be subject to requisition under Part III—typically owners, occupiers, operators, or custodians of “resources” that the State may need for defence or national contingency purposes.
Because the Order does not specify categories of persons or resources, the scope is determined by the parent Act’s definitions and Part III provisions. Lawyers should therefore examine Part III of the Requisition of Resources Act to identify: (a) what constitutes “resources” for requisition purposes; (b) whether requisition can be made from private entities, public bodies, or both; and (c) what obligations are imposed on affected persons once Part III is operative.
Additionally, the Order’s activation is relevant to administrative decision-making. Government agencies and authorised officers must ensure that any requisition notice, direction, or enforcement step is taken while Part III is in operation and in accordance with the procedures prescribed by the Act. If a requisition is challenged, the activation date and the competence of the decision-maker will be central issues.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Even though the Requisition of Resources (No. 7) Order 2018 is brief, it is legally important because it determines whether the State can exercise the coercive requisition powers contained in Part III of the Requisition of Resources Act. For affected businesses and individuals, this can translate into operational disruption, control or use of assets, and compliance obligations that may not otherwise apply.
For practitioners, the Order is also important for timing and validity. Many disputes in requisition or emergency powers contexts turn on whether the statutory powers were properly activated at the time the State acted. The Order provides a clear commencement date (6 December 2018). Counsel should therefore verify whether the relevant requisition action occurred on or after that date, and whether any later orders changed the status of Part III.
Finally, the Order illustrates a broader governance model in Singapore: the parent Act provides the legal architecture, while subsidiary orders manage activation. This can affect how clients plan for compliance and how lawyers structure advice. For example, if a client is in a sector likely to be requisitioned (such as logistics, communications, transport, or other strategic resources), counsel should monitor the legislation timeline and ensure internal policies can respond quickly when Part III is brought into operation by an order.
From an enforcement perspective, once Part III is operative, failure to comply with requisition directions may carry statutory consequences. Lawyers should therefore advise clients not only on substantive compliance but also on procedural steps—such as responding to notices, documenting asset status, and preserving evidence—because these can be critical in any subsequent dispute about the legality or scope of the requisition.
Related Legislation
- Requisition of Resources Act (Chapter 273) — particularly Part III, which is brought into operation by this Order.
- Legislation Timeline / Requisition of Resources Orders — relevant for determining when Part III is in force and whether there are subsequent amendments or replacement orders.
Source Documents
This article provides an overview of the Requisition of Resources (No. 7) Order 2018 for legal research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the official text for authoritative provisions.