Statute Details
- Title: Requisition of Resources Order 2021
- Act Code: RRA1985-S156-2021
- Type: Subsidiary Legislation (SL)
- Authorising Act: Requisition of Resources Act (Chapter 273)
- Enacting formula (power used): Powers conferred by section 2 of the Requisition of Resources Act
- Order date (made): 23 February 2021
- Commencement / operative date: Part III of the Act to come into and remain in operation on 13 March 2021
- Legislative citation: No. S 156
- SL number: SL 156/2021
- Status: Current version as at 27 March 2026
What Is This Legislation About?
The Requisition of Resources Order 2021 is a short piece of Singapore subsidiary legislation that activates a specific part of the Requisition of Resources Act (Cap. 273). In plain terms, it does not itself list particular resources to be taken or particular persons to be targeted. Instead, it determines when the legal machinery in Part III of the parent Act becomes operative.
Under the Requisition of Resources Act, the Government is empowered to requisition (that is, to take or control) certain resources in situations where national needs require it—typically in circumstances connected to defence or other urgent public requirements. The Order is therefore best understood as a “switch” that turns on the operational provisions in Part III for a defined period.
Practically, the Order matters because it affects how quickly and effectively the State can exercise requisition powers. Once Part III is in force, the relevant statutory processes, authorities, and legal consequences described in that Part become available. For lawyers, the key is to read the Order together with Part III of the Requisition of Resources Act, because the Order’s legal effect is to bring those provisions into operation.
What Are the Key Provisions?
Section 1 (Citation) provides the formal name of the instrument: it is the Requisition of Resources Order 2021. This is standard legislative drafting, but it is important for citation in legal documents, correspondence, and any subsequent enforcement or judicial references.
Section 2 (Date of requisition) is the substantive provision. It states that “Part III of the Act are to come into and remain in operation on 13 March 2021.” This language does two things:
- Commencement: Part III is not merely “authorised” or “available”; it is required to come into operation on a specific date.
- Continuing effect: Part III is to remain in operation (i.e., it is not limited to a short window within the Order itself). Unless later amended or revoked by subsequent legislation, Part III continues to operate from that date.
Because the Order is limited to these two provisions, it is crucial not to overread it. The Order does not specify which resources may be requisitioned, who may be requisitioned, or what procedural steps must be followed. Those details are contained in Part III of the Requisition of Resources Act. A practitioner should therefore treat the Order as an activation instrument and focus legal analysis on the parent Act’s Part III.
Enacting formula and making authority: The Order is made by the Minister for Defence in exercise of powers under section 2 of the Requisition of Resources Act. This indicates that the legislative scheme contemplates ministerial discretion to bring Part III into force when conditions warrant. For legal work, this matters for questions such as: (i) whether the Minister had jurisdiction to make the Order; (ii) whether the procedural requirements for making the Order were satisfied; and (iii) what the legal consequences are once Part III is activated.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
The Requisition of Resources Order 2021 is structured as a very brief subsidiary instrument with only two operative sections:
- Section 1: Citation (short title).
- Section 2: Date of requisition/commencement of Part III of the Act.
There are no schedules, no definitions, and no operational procedures within the Order itself. The “structure” is therefore not about internal complexity, but about its relationship to the parent statute. The Order is designed to be read alongside the Requisition of Resources Act (Cap. 273), particularly Part III, which contains the substantive requisition framework.
In practice, a lawyer will typically approach the instrument in the following way:
- Confirm the current version and the operative date (here, 13 March 2021).
- Identify whether any later amendments or revocation instruments exist that affect Part III’s operation.
- Read Part III of the Act to determine the actual legal powers and procedures now in force.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
The Order itself is directed to the legal operation of Part III of the Requisition of Resources Act. It therefore applies indirectly to the categories of persons and entities that Part III governs—typically those who may be subject to requisition-related directions, orders, or obligations once Part III is activated.
Although the Order text provided does not name specific classes (such as owners of particular resources, operators, or suppliers), the parent Act’s Part III will define the scope. In legal terms, the Order’s effect is to make Part III’s provisions enforceable and applicable as of 13 March 2021. Accordingly, any person or organisation that falls within the definitions and operative provisions of Part III should assume that the requisition regime is active.
For practitioners advising clients, the practical question is not “who is named in the Order?” but rather “does the client’s business, assets, or activities fall within the requisition categories contemplated by Part III?” That requires a careful reading of the parent Act.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Even though the Requisition of Resources Order 2021 is short, it can have significant operational and legal consequences. Requisition powers are inherently intrusive: they can affect property rights, contractual arrangements, and business continuity. By bringing Part III into force, the Order enables the State to use the legal tools described in that Part.
From an enforcement and compliance perspective, the Order is important because it clarifies that the requisition regime is not hypothetical. Once Part III is in operation, the relevant authorities may be empowered to issue requisition-related instruments and to impose obligations on affected parties, subject to the safeguards and procedural requirements in the Act.
From a litigation and advisory perspective, the Order also matters for timing. If a dispute arises about whether requisition-related actions were lawful, one of the first issues will be whether Part III was in force at the relevant time. The Order provides the key date—13 March 2021—that can be decisive in determining the legal basis for actions taken thereafter.
Finally, the Order illustrates a common legislative technique in Singapore: using subsidiary legislation to activate or commence specific parts of a parent Act. This can be particularly relevant for practitioners tracking regulatory regimes that may be turned on in response to evolving national needs.
Related Legislation
- Requisition of Resources Act (Chapter 273) — in particular, Part III (the provisions brought into operation by this Order)
- Legislation Timeline / Requisition of Resources Act commencement and amendments (as referenced in the legislation portal)
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.