Statute Details
- Title: Requisition of Resources Order 2019
- Act Code: RRA1985-S34-2019
- Legislation Type: Subsidiary Legislation (SL)
- Authorising Act: Requisition of Resources Act (Chapter 273)
- Authorising Power: Powers conferred by section 2 of the Requisition of Resources Act
- Enacting Date / Made Date: 15 January 2019
- Citation: No. S 34 (as reflected in the legislation record)
- Commencement / Effect: Part III of the Act is to come into and remain in operation on 15 January 2019
- Status: Current version as at 27 March 2026
- Key Provisions (in the extract): Sections 1 (Citation) and 2 (Date of requisition)
What Is This Legislation About?
The Requisition of Resources Order 2019 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 “turns on” a particular part of the Act—specifically Part III—for a defined commencement date.
Although the Order itself contains only two operative provisions in the extract, its practical effect is substantial. By bringing Part III of the Act into operation on 15 January 2019, the Minister for Defence authorises the legal framework that enables the State to requisition (i.e., take or require the provision of) resources when the statutory conditions are met under the parent Act.
For practitioners, the key point is that this Order does not create a new requisition regime from scratch. Instead, it activates an existing statutory mechanism contained in the Requisition of Resources Act. The Order therefore operates as a commencement/requisition activation instrument tied to the Act’s structure.
What Are the Key Provisions?
Section 1 (Citation) provides the formal name of the instrument: the “Requisition of Resources Order 2019.” This is standard legislative drafting. While it may appear procedural, citation provisions matter for legal certainty, referencing, and compliance documentation.
Section 2 (Date of requisition) is the core operative clause. It states that “the provisions of Part III of the Act are to come into and remain in operation on 15 January 2019.” This language performs two legal functions:
- Commencement: Part III becomes legally operative on 15 January 2019.
- Continuing operation: Part III is not merely temporary for a short period; it is to “remain in operation” from that date (subject to how the parent Act itself governs duration, revocation, or ongoing conditions).
From a legal practice perspective, the phrase “remain in operation” is particularly important. It suggests that once Part III is activated, the statutory powers and procedures in Part III are available for use thereafter, rather than expiring automatically at the end of a fixed window. However, the actual scope of requisition powers and the triggers for their exercise will be found in the Requisition of Resources Act, not in the Order.
Enacting formula and authority confirm that the Minister for Defence makes the Order “in exercise of the powers conferred by section 2 of the Requisition of Resources Act.” This indicates that the Act delegates to the Minister the ability to bring Part III into operation by order. Practitioners should therefore treat the Order as an exercise of delegated legislative power, and should check the parent Act for any constraints, procedural requirements, or conditions precedent.
Made on 15 January 2019 and signed by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence (Chan Yeng Kit) provides the formal validity markers typically required for subsidiary legislation. In disputes, these details can be relevant to questions of proper making and authentication.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
The Order is structured as a very concise subsidiary instrument with a short set of provisions. Based on the extract, it contains:
- Section 1: Citation (short title).
- Section 2: Date of requisition (activation of Part III of the Act).
There are no additional parts, schedules, or detailed procedural rules in the Order itself. Instead, the substantive legal framework is located in the Requisition of Resources Act (Chapter 273), particularly Part III. Accordingly, the Order should be read together with the parent Act to understand:
- what “requisition” covers (types of resources, persons/entities affected);
- the decision-making process (who may requisition and under what authority);
- notice requirements, compensation mechanisms, and enforcement consequences; and
- any limitations, safeguards, or review/appeal pathways.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
On its face, the Requisition of Resources Order 2019 applies broadly in the sense that it activates Part III of the Requisition of Resources Act for the whole jurisdiction. However, the practical applicability to specific parties depends on how Part III defines the scope of requisition powers in the parent Act.
In typical requisition regimes, the affected parties are often resource holders (such as suppliers, operators, or owners of goods and services) and potentially persons in possession or control of relevant resources. The Order itself does not list categories of persons; it is the Act that will determine which entities may be requisitioned, what resources may be requisitioned, and what procedural steps must be followed.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Even though the Requisition of Resources Order 2019 is brief, it is important because it determines whether the State can rely on the requisition powers in Part III of the Act. In other words, it affects the availability of legal authority to requisition resources from the date specified.
For practitioners advising businesses, logistics providers, critical infrastructure operators, or suppliers, the activation of Part III can have compliance and risk implications. If the parent Act provides for requisition of goods, services, or other resources, then affected parties may need to consider:
- their obligations to respond to requisition notices (if issued);
- how compensation (if any) is calculated and claimed;
- contractual impacts (e.g., force majeure, allocation of risk, and customer obligations); and
- record-keeping and governance measures to support compliance and potential compensation claims.
From an enforcement and litigation standpoint, the Order also matters because it can be a jurisdictional anchor for the exercise of powers under Part III. If a requisition action is challenged, parties may scrutinise whether Part III was properly in operation at the relevant time, and whether the requisitioning authority complied with the procedural requirements in the Act.
Finally, the Order’s “current version as at 27 March 2026” status indicates that the instrument remains part of the active legal landscape. Practitioners should therefore treat it as still relevant when assessing whether Part III of the Act is operative from 15 January 2019 onward.
Related Legislation
- Requisition of Resources Act (Chapter 273) — the parent Act; Part III is activated by this Order.
- Legislation Timeline / Revisions — for confirming the correct version and whether any amendments affect Part III or the operation of the Act.
Source Documents
This article provides an overview of the Requisition of Resources Order 2019 for legal research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the official text for authoritative provisions.