Statute Details
- Title: Requisition of Resources Order 2016
- Act Code: RRA1985-S161-2016
- Legislative Type: Subsidiary legislation (Order)
- Authorising Act: Requisition of Resources Act (Chapter 273)
- Enacting Formula / Power Source: Powers conferred by section 2 of the Requisition of Resources Act
- Order Number: S 161
- SL Citation: SL 161/2016
- Date Made: 6 April 2016
- Date of Requisition / Commencement Trigger: Provisions of Part III of the Act to come into and remain in operation on 16 April 2016
- Status: Current version as at 27 March 2026 (per the legislation record)
- Parts / Key Sections (Order): Sections 1 (Citation) and 2 (Date of requisition)
What Is This Legislation About?
The Requisition of Resources Order 2016 is a short but legally significant Singapore subsidiary instrument made under the Requisition of Resources Act (Cap. 273). In plain terms, it is an administrative/legal “switch” that activates a specific portion of the parent Act—namely Part III—for a defined period starting on a particular date.
Although the Order itself contains only two substantive provisions, its effect is to bring into force the requisition framework in Part III of the Act. Requisition regimes are typically designed for situations where the State may need to secure resources (such as goods, services, or other assets) quickly—often in emergencies, national security contexts, or other circumstances where continuity of essential functions is critical.
Accordingly, the Order should be read together with the parent Act. The Order does not, by itself, describe the detailed requisition powers, procedures, or safeguards. Instead, it determines when the relevant statutory machinery in Part III becomes operational.
What Are the Key Provisions?
Section 1 (Citation) provides the formal name of the instrument: the Requisition of Resources Order 2016. This is standard legislative drafting and is primarily relevant for referencing, filing, and legal citation.
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 16 April 2016. In other words, Part III is not automatically in force at all times; it is activated by an Order made under the Act’s enabling power.
From a practitioner’s perspective, the most important legal consequence is that once Part III is in operation, the State (through the relevant Minister or authorised officers under the Act) may exercise the requisition powers contained in that Part. The Order therefore functions as the legal trigger for the commencement of those powers and any associated procedural requirements.
Because the extract provided contains only the Order’s text, the detailed content of Part III is not reproduced here. However, the structure of such legislation generally means that Part III will set out (i) the circumstances in which requisition may be made, (ii) the authority empowered to requisition, (iii) the form and effect of requisition notices or orders, (iv) obligations imposed on affected persons, and (v) any compensation or review mechanisms. The practitioner should consult the Requisition of Resources Act (Cap. 273), Part III, to understand the substantive rights and duties that are activated on 16 April 2016.
It is also notable that the Order is “made on 6 April 2016” but specifies a commencement date of “16 April 2016.” This gap is legally relevant: it indicates that the decision to activate Part III was taken earlier, but the legal effect on the ground begins on the specified date. For compliance planning, counsel should treat the commencement date as the point from which Part III powers and obligations become enforceable.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
The Requisition of Resources Order 2016 is structured as a very brief subsidiary instrument with only two sections. It follows the typical format of commencement/activation orders under Singapore enabling statutes.
Section 1 is the citation provision. Section 2 is the commencement/activation provision specifying the date on which Part III of the parent Act comes into and remains in operation. There are no schedules, definitions, or procedural rules within the Order itself.
In practical terms, the Order is best understood as a “connector” between the enabling Act and the operational Part III. The legal practitioner should therefore treat the Order as part of a two-layer legal framework:
- Layer 1: The Requisition of Resources Act (Cap. 273), which contains the substantive requisition regime and the enabling power.
- Layer 2: The Requisition of Resources Order 2016, which activates Part III on a specified date.
This layered approach is common where Parliament intends to keep certain extraordinary powers dormant until formally activated, thereby ensuring legal certainty and controlled deployment.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
The Order itself is addressed to the legal system (and, indirectly, to the executive authorities empowered under the Act). It does not list categories of persons. Instead, once Part III of the Act is in operation, the requisition powers and obligations in that Part apply to the relevant persons and resources covered by the Act.
In general terms, requisition legislation typically affects owners, occupiers, operators, suppliers, and persons in possession or control of resources that may be requisitioned. The exact scope depends on how Part III defines “resources” and the operative triggers for requisition. Therefore, counsel should review Part III of the Requisition of Resources Act to determine:
- what types of resources may be requisitioned;
- what conditions must exist before requisition can be made;
- who may be required to comply; and
- what procedural steps and compensation arrangements apply.
Because the Order specifies that Part III “come[s] into and remain[s] in operation on 16 April 2016,” the practical applicability begins on that date. Any legal analysis of obligations, potential liabilities, or compensation claims should be anchored to whether the relevant requisition actions occurred while Part III was in force.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Even though the Requisition of Resources Order 2016 is brief, it is important because it determines when extraordinary statutory powers become legally usable. For lawyers advising government agencies, regulated industries, or affected private parties, the activation of Part III is often the critical fact that governs whether requisition notices are valid and whether compliance duties are enforceable.
From an enforcement and compliance standpoint, the Order provides a clear commencement date. This matters for due process and legal certainty: affected parties can identify when the legal regime changes, and authorities can rely on a formal instrument to justify actions taken under Part III.
For practitioners, the Order also has litigation and advisory implications. In disputes about requisition—such as challenges to the authority’s power, procedural compliance, or compensation—courts and tribunals will typically examine whether the relevant statutory provisions were in force at the time of the requisition. The Order therefore serves as documentary evidence supporting the temporal validity of actions taken under Part III.
Finally, the Order highlights a broader legislative design: Singapore’s requisition powers are not necessarily permanently active. Instead, they can be activated by subsidiary legislation under an enabling provision. This structure balances the State’s need for rapid access to resources with the rule-of-law principle that exceptional powers should be clearly authorised and time-bound by formal legal instruments.
Related Legislation
- Requisition of Resources Act (Chapter 273) — particularly Part III, and the enabling provision in section 2 that authorises the making of such Orders.
- Legislation Timeline (as referenced in the legislation record) — useful for confirming the correct version and commencement context.
Source Documents
This article provides an overview of the Requisition of Resources Order 2016 for legal research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the official text for authoritative provisions.