Statute Details
- Title: Requisition of Resources Order 2017
- Act Code: RRA1985-S176-2017
- Legislation Type: Subsidiary Legislation (SL)
- Authorising Act: Requisition of Resources Act (Chapter 273)
- Enacting Authority: Minister for Defence
- Legal Basis: Powers conferred by section 2 of the Requisition of Resources Act
- SL Number: No. S 176
- Publication/Date of Order: Made on 19 April 2017
- Commencement/Operational Date: Part III of the Act to come into and remain in operation on 25 April 2017
- Status: Current version as at 27 March 2026
What Is This Legislation About?
The Requisition of Resources Order 2017 is a Singapore subsidiary instrument made under the Requisition of Resources Act (Chapter 273). In practical terms, it is not a standalone “requisition regime” with new substantive rules. Instead, it activates an existing statutory framework by bringing a particular part of the parent Act into force.
Specifically, the Order provides that the provisions of Part III of the Requisition of Resources Act are to come into and remain in operation on 25 April 2017. This means that, from that date, the legal powers and mechanisms contained in Part III—whatever they are in the parent Act—become available for use by the relevant authorities, subject to the conditions and procedures set out in the Act itself.
For practitioners, the key point is that the Order functions as a trigger or activation device. It tells you when Part III is legally operative, which in turn determines when the government can rely on the Part III powers to requisition resources (for example, in situations involving national security, emergencies, or other circumstances contemplated by the Act). The Order therefore has significant operational consequences even though its text is brief.
What Are the Key Provisions?
Section 1 (Citation) confirms the name of the instrument: it is the Requisition of Resources Order 2017. While this is standard drafting, it is important for legal referencing, especially when advising on whether a particular activation order applies to a given period or set of facts.
Section 2 (Date of requisition) is the substantive operative provision. It states that the provisions of Part III of the Act are to come into and remain in operation on 25 April 2017. The phrase “come into and remain in operation” indicates that the activation is not limited to a short window within the Order itself. Unless Part III is later suspended, amended, or otherwise affected by subsequent legislation or orders, the legal effect is that Part III continues to be available from the specified date onward.
From a legal analysis perspective, the Order’s brevity does not reduce its importance. The Order effectively answers the “when” question for Part III. A lawyer advising on disputes, compliance, or enforcement will typically need to cross-reference the parent Act’s Part III to determine: (i) what powers exist; (ii) who may exercise them; (iii) what procedural safeguards apply; (iv) what notice requirements exist; and (v) what rights of affected persons (including compensation or review mechanisms, if any) are triggered once Part III is in force.
Because the Order is made under section 2 of the Requisition of Resources Act, it is also relevant to consider the statutory scheme for how and why such activation orders are issued. Even though the extract does not reproduce the parent Act’s text, the authorising provision likely sets out the Minister’s discretion and the circumstances under which Part III may be brought into operation. Practitioners should therefore treat the Order as part of a broader statutory framework rather than an isolated instrument.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
The Requisition of Resources Order 2017 is structured as a short subsidiary instrument with a conventional layout:
(1) Enacting formula: This states that the Minister for Defence makes the Order in exercise of powers under section 2 of the Requisition of Resources Act. The enacting formula is important for confirming the correct authority and the legal basis for the Order.
(2) Citation provision: Section 1 identifies the Order by name.
(3) Operational provision: Section 2 specifies the date on which Part III of the parent Act comes into and remains in operation.
Notably, the Order contains no additional schedules or detailed procedural rules in the extract. The operative content is entirely dependent on the parent Act—particularly Part III. In practice, the “structure” that matters to lawyers is therefore the relationship between this Order and the parent Act’s Part III provisions.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
As a subsidiary activation order, the Requisition of Resources Order 2017 applies indirectly to persons and entities affected by the powers in Part III of the Requisition of Resources Act. While the Order itself does not name categories of persons, Part III of the Act would typically govern how resources may be requisitioned and what obligations follow for those who possess, control, or supply relevant resources.
Accordingly, the practical scope includes any person or organisation whose resources fall within the definition of “resources” under the Act and who may be subject to requisition measures once Part III is in operation. This could include suppliers, operators, and other stakeholders in sectors relevant to the requisition regime contemplated by the Act. The exact categories and thresholds must be determined by reviewing Part III of the Requisition of Resources Act.
Because the Order specifies that Part III “remain[s] in operation” from 25 April 2017, its effect is not limited to a single event. It potentially affects ongoing or future requisition actions taken after that date, subject to the parent Act’s conditions and any subsequent legal changes.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Although the Requisition of Resources Order 2017 is short, it is legally significant because it determines the availability of statutory powers under Part III of the Requisition of Resources Act. For practitioners, the key value of the Order is that it provides a clear commencement date for Part III—information that can be decisive in disputes about legality, timing, and compliance.
In enforcement or administrative contexts, affected parties may challenge requisition actions on grounds such as: whether the relevant Part of the Act was in force at the time; whether the statutory conditions were satisfied; whether proper procedures were followed; and whether compensation or other rights were properly addressed. The Order helps establish the baseline legal position: from 25 April 2017, Part III was operative.
From a risk-management perspective, the Order also signals that the government had activated the requisition framework at that time. Businesses and counsel advising them should therefore consider whether they have contractual, regulatory, or operational exposure to requisition measures during periods when Part III is in force. Even if requisition is not imminent, the existence of an activated legal regime can affect contingency planning, supply chain arrangements, and documentation practices.
Finally, the Order’s status as “current version as at 27 March 2026” indicates that the instrument remains part of the legal landscape. Practitioners should still verify whether any later orders have modified, revoked, or replaced the activation, but as a matter of record, the Order is the instrument that brought Part III into operation on the specified date.
Related Legislation
- Requisition of Resources Act (Chapter 273) (including Part III)
- Legislation Timeline (for version control and amendments)
Source Documents
This article provides an overview of the Requisition of Resources Order 2017 for legal research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the official text for authoritative provisions.