Statute Details
- Title: Requisition of Resources Order 2021
- Act Code: RRA1985-S156-2021
- Legislation Type: Subsidiary Legislation (SL)
- Authorising Act: Requisition of Resources Act (Chapter 273)
- Enacting Authority: Minister for Defence
- Enacting Provision: Powers conferred by section 2 of the Requisition of Resources Act
- Order Citation: No. S 156
- SL Number: SL 156/2021
- Date Made: 23 February 2021
- Commencement / Operational Date: Part III of the Act to come into and remain in operation on 13 March 2021
- Status: Current version as at 27 March 2026
What Is This Legislation About?
The Requisition of Resources Order 2021 is a short but legally significant instrument. In practical terms, it activates a specific part of the Requisition of Resources Act (Chapter 273) by bringing Part III of that Act into force for a defined period. The Order does not itself create a detailed regulatory scheme; rather, it serves as the “switch” that turns on the requisition powers contained in Part III of the parent Act.
Under Singapore’s legislative design, certain emergency or contingency powers are often drafted in a way that allows them to be activated only when needed. This helps ensure that intrusive or exceptional powers are not automatically in effect at all times. The Requisition of Resources Act is one such framework: it provides mechanisms for the requisition of resources, which may be necessary during national emergencies, defence-related contingencies, or other situations contemplated by the Act.
Accordingly, the Order’s scope is narrow: it concerns the timing and operation of Part III of the Act. The Order specifies the date on which Part III is to “come into and remain in operation,” thereby determining when the legal consequences of Part III begin to apply to relevant persons and resources.
What Are the Key Provisions?
Section 1 (Citation) provides the formal name of the instrument: “This Order is the Requisition of Resources Order 2021.” While this may appear purely administrative, citation provisions are important for legal certainty. They allow practitioners, courts, and government agencies to identify the precise subsidiary legislation being relied upon, especially where multiple orders may exist over time.
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 March 2021.” This language performs two legal functions:
- Commencement: Part III becomes legally operative on 13 March 2021.
- Continuity: Part III is to “remain in operation” (i.e., it is not a one-day activation). The Order does not specify an end date within the extract provided, meaning that Part III continues to operate until altered by subsequent legislation or by the operation of any termination mechanism within the parent Act.
From a practitioner’s perspective, the key question is not what the Order says in isolation, but what Part III of the Requisition of Resources Act contains. The Order’s legal effect is to activate those Part III provisions. Therefore, to advise clients or assess compliance risk, lawyers must read Part III alongside this Order. The Order is best understood as a triggering instrument that activates the requisition regime.
Enacting formula and authorisation further confirm the legal basis for the activation. The Order is made “in exercise of the powers conferred by section 2 of the Requisition of Resources Act.” This matters for validity and statutory interpretation. If a challenge were raised, the government’s authority would be anchored in section 2 of the Act. Practitioners should therefore treat the authorising provision as central to any legal analysis regarding whether the Minister for Defence properly exercised the statutory power to bring Part III into operation.
Finally, the Order includes formal details such as the date it was made (23 February 2021) and the signature of the Permanent Secretary (Defence Development), Ministry of Defence. These elements support authenticity and help confirm that the instrument was properly issued by the competent authority.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
The Requisition of Resources Order 2021 is structured as a very brief subsidiary legislation instrument with only two provisions:
- Section 1: Citation (identifies the Order).
- Section 2: Date of requisition (activates Part III of the parent Act on 13 March 2021).
There are no “Parts” or extensive substantive sections within the Order itself. Instead, the Order relies on the structure of the Requisition of Resources Act, particularly Part III, which contains the substantive legal rules that become effective once the Order is made operative.
In other words, the Order is best viewed as a temporal activation mechanism rather than a standalone regulatory code.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
Because the Order activates Part III of the Requisition of Resources Act, its practical applicability depends on the scope of Part III. Typically, requisition legislation affects persons and entities that control, possess, or are able to provide relevant resources—for example, suppliers, operators, or owners of resources that may be needed for defence or other national contingencies.
In advising clients, lawyers should therefore identify who falls within the definitions and operative provisions of Part III. The Order itself does not list categories of affected persons; it simply brings Part III into force. As a result, the “who” is determined by the parent Act’s substantive provisions rather than by the Order’s text.
Practically, the Order is relevant to government agencies implementing requisition powers and to private parties who may be subject to requisition directions, notices, or related administrative processes under Part III.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Although the Requisition of Resources Order 2021 is short, it is important because it activates a potentially far-reaching legal regime. Requisition powers can impose obligations on private parties, including duties to make resources available, comply with directions, and potentially deal with compensation or procedural requirements (depending on how Part III is drafted).
For practitioners, the Order’s significance lies in its timing. The legal consequences of Part III only arise once it is in operation. Therefore, the date 13 March 2021 is critical for determining whether requisition-related actions taken by authorities were lawful and whether affected parties had corresponding obligations at the relevant time.
Additionally, the Order’s “remain in operation” language can affect how long obligations apply. Even where an Order is made for a particular period, lawyers must confirm whether the parent Act provides for termination, renewal, or other mechanisms. The “current version as at 27 March 2026” indicates that the Order remains part of the published legal record, but it does not necessarily mean Part III is still operative indefinitely; it means the Order text is currently consolidated and accessible. Practitioners should therefore verify the operative status of Part III at the time of the relevant event by checking the parent Act and any subsequent orders or amendments.
From an enforcement and compliance standpoint, the Order underscores the need for businesses in relevant sectors to understand contingency legal frameworks. Even if requisition is rare, the legal risk is real: once Part III is activated, authorities may exercise powers that can disrupt commercial operations. Early legal review can help clients prepare for potential notices, contractual impacts, and any compensation or procedural rights that may exist under Part III.
Related Legislation
- Requisition of Resources Act (Chapter 273) — particularly Part III (activated by this Order)
- Legislation Timeline / Revisions — for confirming the correct version and whether subsequent orders have modified or replaced the activation of Part III
Source Documents
This article provides an overview of the Requisition of Resources Order 2021 for legal research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the official text for authoritative provisions.