Statute Details
- Title: Requisition of Resources Order 2018
- Act Code: RRA1985-S21-2018
- Legislation 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 Number: No. S 21
- SL Citation: SL 21/2018
- Date Made: 11 January 2018
- Commencement / Date of Requisition: Provisions of Part III of the Act to come into and remain in operation on 13 January 2018
- Status: Current version as at 27 March 2026 (per the legislation extract)
What Is This Legislation About?
The Requisition of Resources Order 2018 is a short but legally significant instrument made under Singapore’s Requisition of Resources Act (Chapter 273). In plain terms, it is an order that activates a specific part of the Act—namely Part III—for a defined period starting on a particular date.
Although the extract provided contains only two operative provisions, the practical effect is substantial. Requisition regimes typically empower the State to require certain resources (such as services, materials, or other capabilities) to be made available for public purposes, often in situations involving national security, emergencies, or other circumstances where the Government needs rapid access to resources. This Order does not itself set out the requisition powers; instead, it brings Part III into force so that those powers can be exercised.
Accordingly, the Order functions as a triggering mechanism: it tells the legal system when Part III of the parent Act becomes operational. Lawyers and compliance teams therefore treat such orders as “activation” documents that determine whether the underlying statutory powers are currently available.
What Are the Key Provisions?
Section 1 (Citation) provides the formal name of the instrument: the Requisition of Resources Order 2018. While this may appear purely administrative, citation provisions are important for legal certainty. They allow practitioners to reference the correct subsidiary legislation when advising on whether particular statutory powers are in force.
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 13 January 2018.” This wording has two key legal consequences.
First, it establishes the commencement date for Part III. Until that date, Part III would not have been operational (assuming it was not already in force under earlier orders). From 13 January 2018, Part III becomes effective and can be relied upon by the relevant authorities.
Second, it provides that Part III is to “remain in operation” from that date. The phrase indicates continuity rather than a one-off activation. In practice, this means that once Part III is brought into force by the Order, it continues to apply unless and until it is later modified, revoked, or replaced by subsequent legislation or orders (depending on the structure of the parent Act and any later amendments or revocation mechanisms).
Notably, the extract does not include any additional conditions, expiry date, or scope limitations within the Order itself. Therefore, the scope of what may be requisitioned, who may be requisitioned, procedural safeguards, compensation arrangements (if any), and enforcement mechanisms are expected to be found in Part III of the Requisition of Resources Act, not in this Order. The Order’s legal function is to activate those provisions.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
The Requisition of Resources Order 2018 is structured as a very concise subsidiary legislation instrument. Based on the extract, it contains:
(1) An Enacting Formula stating that the Minister for Defence makes the Order in exercise of powers under section 2 of the Requisition of Resources Act.
(2) Section 1 (Citation) identifying the Order.
(3) Section 2 (Date of requisition) specifying the commencement and continuing operation of Part III of the Act on 13 January 2018.
There are no schedules, definitions, or operational details in the extract. This is typical of subsidiary legislation that is designed to commence or activate provisions in a parent Act. Practitioners should therefore read the Order together with Part III of the Requisition of Resources Act to understand the substantive legal regime that becomes available from the commencement date.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
Because the Order itself is limited to activating Part III of the parent Act, its direct addressees are best understood by reference to the Requisition of Resources Act. In general, requisition legislation applies to persons and entities that hold or control relevant resources—for example, providers of services, owners or operators of facilities, or holders of materials—depending on how Part III defines “resources” and the categories of persons subject to requisition.
From a practitioner’s perspective, the key question is not who is named in the Order (none are named in the extract), but rather who falls within the requisition powers in Part III once it is in force. The Order’s activation means that, as of 13 January 2018 (and continuing thereafter, absent later changes), the legal authority to invoke Part III powers is available to the competent authorities under the Act.
Accordingly, the Order is relevant to government agencies administering requisitions, as well as to regulated businesses and professionals who may be required to comply with requisition directions, provide resources, or participate in administrative processes connected to requisition.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Even though the Requisition of Resources Order 2018 is brief, it is important because it determines whether the State can rely on the requisition powers in Part III of the Requisition of Resources Act. In legal practice, the difference between a provision being “in force” and “not in force” can be decisive for advising on compliance obligations, potential liabilities, and the availability of legal remedies.
For example, if a business receives a requisition direction or is asked to make resources available, the legality of that direction will typically depend on whether the relevant statutory powers were active at the time. This Order provides the activation date for Part III, which can be critical in disputes, audits, or regulatory reviews.
From an enforcement and governance standpoint, the Order also reflects how Singapore’s legal framework manages readiness. By using subsidiary legislation to bring Part III into operation, the Government can activate requisition powers when needed, rather than having them permanently available in all circumstances. This approach can be relevant to proportionality and administrative control, ensuring that extraordinary powers are tied to specific legal triggers.
Finally, the Order’s “current version as at 27 March 2026” status indicates that practitioners should verify whether there have been subsequent amendments or replacement orders affecting Part III’s operation. While the extract shows the 2018 activation, later instruments could potentially alter the legal landscape. Therefore, lawyers should always cross-check the latest version and the legislation timeline when advising clients.
Related Legislation
- Requisition of Resources Act (Chapter 273) — in particular, Part III, which is activated by this Order
- Legislation Timeline / Amendments — to confirm the current operational status of Part III and any subsequent orders affecting it
Source Documents
This article provides an overview of the Requisition of Resources Order 2018 for legal research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the official text for authoritative provisions.