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 Authority: Minister for Defence
- Enacting Formula (Power Source): Powers conferred by section 2 of the Requisition of Resources Act
- Order Citation: No. S 21
- SL Number: SL 21/2018
- Date Made: 11 January 2018
- Commencement / Operational Date: 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 1–2
What Is This Legislation About?
The Requisition of Resources Order 2018 is a piece of Singapore subsidiary legislation that activates specific parts of the Requisition of Resources Act (Chapter 273). In plain terms, it is an “on switch” order: it brings Part III of the parent Act into force for a defined period starting on a particular date.
Although the Order itself is brief, its legal effect can be significant. By commencing Part III of the Act, the Government equips itself with statutory powers to requisition (that is, take or compel the use of) resources when circumstances require. The Order does not, by itself, list the resources to be requisitioned or the detailed procedures; instead, it determines when the relevant statutory regime becomes operational.
For practitioners, the key point is that subsidiary legislation like this often serves as the procedural and temporal mechanism for emergency or contingency powers. The Order’s legal importance lies in its ability to trigger a broader statutory framework contained in the Act—meaning that rights, obligations, compliance duties, and enforcement consequences may change once Part III is in operation.
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 is standard drafting, it matters for legal citation, referencing in pleadings, and ensuring that the correct instrument is identified in compliance documents or regulatory correspondence.
Section 2 (Date of requisition / commencement of Part III) is the 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 language performs two functions:
(1) Commencement: Part III becomes legally effective on 13 January 2018.
(2) Continuity: it is to “remain in operation” from that date (subject to the Act’s own structure and any later amendments or revocation mechanisms that may exist outside the extract).
In practice, this means that once 13 January 2018 arrives, the legal regime in Part III is no longer dormant. Any persons or entities potentially affected by Part III—such as those who may hold, control, or be able to supply the relevant resources—must be prepared for the statutory consequences that follow from the Act’s Part III provisions.
Enacting formula and authority also provide a useful practitioner’s lens. The Order is made “in exercise of the powers conferred by section 2 of the Requisition of Resources Act,” and it is made by the Minister for Defence. This confirms that the commencement of Part III is not arbitrary; it is grounded in a specific enabling provision in the parent Act. For legal analysis, this matters when assessing validity, administrative law challenges, or questions about whether the correct decision-maker and statutory power were used.
Made on 11 January 2018 but with operational effect from 13 January 2018 indicates a short lead time between making and commencement. This is consistent with administrative practice: the instrument is finalised and published, then takes effect on a later date to allow for operational readiness. Practitioners should therefore treat the commencement date as the critical threshold for compliance and risk assessment.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
The Order is structured as a short instrument with at least two sections. Section 1 is the citation provision. Section 2 is the commencement/“date of requisition” provision that activates Part III of the parent Act.
Importantly, the Order does not reproduce the substantive requisition powers. Instead, it relies on the parent Act’s internal structure—specifically, Part III. This is typical of subsidiary legislation that is designed to “turn on” or “bring into operation” provisions of a statute rather than to create entirely new substantive rules.
From a drafting and interpretive standpoint, the structure implies that the legal content relevant to requisition powers is located in the Requisition of Resources Act, not in the Order. Therefore, a practitioner should read the Order together with Part III of the Act to understand the full legal obligations and consequences.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
Because the Order itself is a commencement instrument, its direct addressees are best understood by reference to the parent Act. Once Part III of the Requisition of Resources Act is in operation, the statutory regime applies to those persons and entities that fall within the scope of Part III—typically persons who may be required to provide, make available, or otherwise deal with the “resources” contemplated by the Act.
In practical terms, this can include businesses and operators in sectors that may hold relevant resources (for example, supply chains, logistics, or other operational capabilities), as well as individuals who may be in possession or control of resources that the State may need to requisition. The exact categories depend on the definitions and operative provisions in Part III of the Act.
Accordingly, lawyers advising clients should not treat the Order as a standalone document. Instead, they should map the client’s activities and holdings against the triggers and definitions in Part III and then assess how the commencement date (13 January 2018) affects compliance duties, contractual risk, and potential liability.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Even though the Requisition of Resources Order 2018 is brief, it can have substantial operational and legal consequences. The Order determines the timing of when Part III of the Act becomes enforceable. Once Part III is in force, the Government’s requisition powers (and any associated duties imposed on affected parties) become legally active.
For practitioners, the importance is twofold. First, it affects compliance planning: clients must know when the legal regime starts so they can implement internal processes for responding to requisition notices or other statutory demands. Second, it affects risk and liability analysis: contractual obligations, force majeure clauses, and allocation of operational burdens may be impacted by the existence of statutory requisition powers.
From an enforcement perspective, commencement orders are often the hinge on which regulatory authority turns. If Part III is not in operation, the requisition regime may not apply; if it is in operation, statutory powers and duties may be exercised without the same limitations that apply when provisions are not yet commenced. Therefore, the commencement date is not merely administrative—it can be determinative in disputes about whether a requisition was lawful, whether a party had a duty to comply, and what remedies or protections might apply.
Related Legislation
- Requisition of Resources Act (Chapter 273) — in particular, Part III (activated by this Order)
- Legislation Timeline / Revisions — to confirm the correct version and any subsequent amendments affecting Part III or the enabling power in section 2
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.