Statute Details
- Title: Requisition of Resources Order 2018
- Act Code: RRA1985-S21-2018
- Type: Subsidiary Legislation (SL)
- Authorising Act: Requisition of Resources Act (Chapter 273)
- Enacting Formula / Power Source: Powers conferred by section 2 of the Requisition of Resources Act
- Order Date (Made): 11 January 2018
- Citation / SL Number: No. S 21
- 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
- Key Provisions (from extract): Sections 1 (Citation) and 2 (Date of requisition)
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 activates a specific part of the parent Act—Part III—for a defined period starting on a particular date. The Order itself does not set out detailed requisition procedures; instead, it functions as a “switch” that brings the relevant statutory powers into force.
Requisition regimes are typically designed for national preparedness and resilience. They allow the Government, under defined legal authority, to require resources (such as goods, services, or other capabilities) to be made available when circumstances require. The legal architecture usually includes safeguards, procedural requirements, and mechanisms for compensation or enforcement—features that are generally contained in the parent Act rather than in the brief Order.
Accordingly, the practical effect of the Requisition of Resources Order 2018 is to determine when the requisition powers in Part III of the Act become operative. For lawyers advising government agencies, regulated entities, or potential requisition targets, the Order is therefore a crucial document for establishing the temporal scope of the Act’s operative provisions.
What Are the Key Provisions?
Section 1 (Citation) provides the formal name of the instrument: it is the Requisition of Resources Order 2018. While this may appear purely administrative, citation provisions matter in legal practice because they identify the exact subsidiary legislation that must be referenced in notices, submissions, or enforcement-related correspondence.
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. Two elements are legally important here:
- Activation date: Part III becomes operative on 13 January 2018. This is the date from which the requisition powers and related legal consequences under Part III can be exercised.
- Duration / “remain in operation” language: the Order specifies that Part III is to “remain in operation” from that date. In other words, the Order is not merely a one-day activation; it signals continuity of the operative regime until further legal change (for example, a subsequent order, amendment, or cessation mechanism provided in the parent Act).
Because the extract does not reproduce the text of Part III itself, practitioners should treat the Order as a gateway document. The substantive requisition framework—who may requisition, what may be requisitioned, the process for requisition notices, and any compensation or review mechanisms—will be found in the Requisition of Resources Act, particularly Part III. The Order’s function is to determine the effective date of those provisions.
It is also notable that the Order is made by the Minister for Defence, with the enacting formula indicating that the Minister acts under powers conferred by section 2 of the Act. This matters for legal validity and administrative law: if a requisition action is taken relying on Part III powers, the Government must be able to show that the statutory precondition—namely, the activation of Part III by a valid order—has been satisfied. For counsel, this is a key point when assessing the legality of requisition notices or related enforcement steps.
Finally, the Order includes a “Made on” date (11 January 2018) and a separate “Date of requisition” (13 January 2018). This two-day gap is typical of legislative instruments: it allows for publication and administrative readiness before the operative provisions take effect.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
The Requisition of Resources Order 2018 is structured as a very concise subsidiary legislation instrument with a small number of sections. Based on the extract, it contains:
- Section 1 (Citation): identifies the Order.
- Section 2 (Date of requisition): provides the commencement and continuing operation of Part III of the parent Act.
There are no “Parts” or detailed procedural chapters within the Order itself. Instead, the Order is designed to operate in conjunction with the Requisition of Resources Act. In practice, lawyers should read the Order together with:
- Section 2 of the Requisition of Resources Act (the enabling provision), and
- Part III of the Act (the substantive requisition regime being activated).
This structure is common in Singapore subsidiary legislation: the parent Act provides the substantive legal framework, while subsidiary instruments determine when particular powers are brought into effect.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
Because the Order activates Part III of the Requisition of Resources Act, its practical applicability extends to those persons and entities that may be subject to requisition under that Part. While the extract does not specify categories (such as owners of particular resources, operators of essential services, or suppliers), the parent Act’s Part III will define the scope—typically by reference to “resources” and the persons who control or provide them.
In legal terms, the Order itself is addressed to the legal system (and the Minister’s authority), but its effects are felt by regulated stakeholders who may be required to comply with requisition directions once Part III is in operation. This can include private companies, public bodies, and individuals who hold relevant resources or capabilities.
For practitioners, the key question is not only whether the Order exists, but whether Part III was operative at the relevant time for the action in question. The Order’s “come into and remain in operation on 13 January 2018” language is therefore central to determining temporal applicability.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Although the Requisition of Resources Order 2018 is brief, it is legally consequential because it determines the effective date of a potentially intrusive statutory power set under the parent Act. Requisition powers can affect contractual arrangements, operational control, and property or service availability. When such powers are exercised, affected parties will often need to assess legality, scope, and compliance obligations.
From an enforcement and administrative law perspective, the Order provides the necessary statutory foundation for the Minister (and any authorised officers) to rely on Part III powers. If Part III had not been properly activated, any requisition action could be challenged as ultra vires or procedurally defective. Conversely, if Part III is activated by a valid order, affected parties must engage with the substantive requirements in Part III, including any procedural steps and any rights to compensation or review that the Act provides.
For practitioners advising businesses or public bodies, the Order’s importance lies in risk management and readiness. Once Part III is operative, entities that might be requisition targets should ensure they understand:
- What resources could be requisitioned under Part III;
- What process would be followed (e.g., notices, timelines, and documentation);
- What obligations must be complied with immediately; and
- What remedies exist if requisition is disputed or compensation is sought.
In short, the Order is a trigger for the operation of a broader legal regime. Even without detailed text, it is a critical document for establishing when the Government’s requisition powers were legally available.
Related Legislation
- Requisition of Resources Act (Chapter 273) — particularly section 2 (enabling power) and Part III (substantive requisition provisions activated by this Order)
- Legislation Timeline (as referenced in the official publication interface) — for confirming the correct version and any amendments affecting the operative regime
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.