Statute Details
- Title: Requisition of Resources Order 2023
- Act Code: RRA1985-S74-2023
- Type: Subsidiary Legislation (SL)
- Enacting Authority: Minister for Defence
- Authorising Act: Requisition of Resources Act 1985
- Legal Basis: Powers conferred by section 2 of the Requisition of Resources Act 1985
- Order Citation: No. S 74
- SL Number: SL 74/2023
- Date of Making: 30 January 2023
- Date of Requisition / Commencement Trigger: Part 3 of the Act to come into and remain in operation on 17 February 2023
- Status: Current version as at 27 Mar 2026
What Is This Legislation About?
The Requisition of Resources Order 2023 is a Singapore subsidiary legislation instrument made under the Requisition of Resources Act 1985. In plain language, it is an administrative legal mechanism that activates specific powers in the parent Act—specifically, the powers contained in Part 3 of the Act—by bringing them into force for a defined period.
Unlike a typical “standalone” statute that creates a broad regulatory scheme from scratch, this Order does not itself set out detailed requisition procedures. Instead, it functions as a trigger: it tells the legal system when the relevant requisition regime in the Act becomes operative. This is a common legislative design in national security and emergency-related frameworks, where the underlying powers are pre-enacted but only activated when circumstances warrant.
Practically, the Order’s effect is to ensure that, from the specified date, the State can rely on the Part 3 powers of the Requisition of Resources Act 1985 to requisition resources. The Order therefore matters to government agencies, regulated entities, and legal practitioners advising on compliance, risk, and potential liabilities that arise once the requisition regime is activated.
What Are the Key Provisions?
Section 1 (Citation) provides the formal name of the instrument: it is the “Requisition of Resources Order 2023”. While this may appear purely administrative, citation provisions are important for legal certainty. They allow practitioners to identify the exact instrument that activates the relevant statutory powers and to cross-reference it in advice, pleadings, and compliance documentation.
Section 2 (Date of requisition) is the operative provision. It states that the provisions of Part 3 of the Act are to come into and remain in operation on 17 February 2023. The wording “come into and remain in operation” indicates that the activation is not merely for a single day; rather, it is intended to keep Part 3 operative from that date onward (subject to how the parent Act itself governs duration, termination, or further orders).
From a legal practitioner’s perspective, the key point is that the Order does not describe the requisition process. Instead, it activates the Part 3 regime. Therefore, to understand the full legal consequences, one must read Part 3 of the Requisition of Resources Act 1985 alongside this Order. The Order supplies the “when”; Part 3 supplies the “what”—including the substantive powers, procedural requirements, and any safeguards or mechanisms for affected persons.
Finally, the enacting formula and making clause confirm the constitutional and statutory legitimacy of the instrument. The Order is made “in exercise of the powers conferred by section 2 of the Requisition of Resources Act 1985” and is signed by the Permanent Secretary (Defence), Ministry of Defence. This matters for validity analysis: if a requisition action later relies on Part 3 powers, parties may need to confirm that the enabling authority existed and that the activation order was properly made.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
This Order is extremely short and consists of two sections:
- Section 1 sets out the citation (the name of the Order).
- Section 2 sets out the date on which Part 3 of the Requisition of Resources Act 1985 comes into and remains in operation.
- Additionally, the document includes the enacting formula, the making date, and the signature of the authorised official.
Because the Order is a “trigger” instrument, it is best understood as part of a two-layer legal structure:
- Layer 1: The Requisition of Resources Act 1985 (the substantive framework, including Part 3).
- Layer 2: The Requisition of Resources Order 2023 (the activation mechanism that brings Part 3 into force on 17 February 2023).
In practice, lawyers should treat the Order as a date-stamping and activation document and then conduct a targeted review of Part 3 of the Act to determine the actual requisition powers and procedural steps that become available to the State.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
The Order itself is addressed to the legal system and the State’s ability to invoke Part 3 of the Act. However, the real-world impact is on persons and entities whose resources may be requisitioned once Part 3 is operative. While the extract provided does not list categories of affected persons, requisition regimes typically concern resources such as goods, services, facilities, or other assets that the State may need for defence or national preparedness purposes.
Accordingly, the Order is relevant to:
- Businesses and operators that may hold resources potentially within the scope of requisition;
- Service providers whose services could be requisitioned or whose operational capacity could be affected;
- Legal advisers supporting compliance planning, contract risk management, and response strategies if requisition notices are issued; and
- Government agencies responsible for implementing requisition actions under the Act.
Because the Order activates Part 3 from 17 February 2023 and keeps it operative, its applicability is not limited to a short window. Instead, it remains relevant for as long as Part 3 remains in operation under the parent Act’s framework (including any provisions on duration, revocation, or further orders).
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Although the Requisition of Resources Order 2023 is brief, it is legally significant because it activates a potentially powerful set of statutory powers. In national defence and preparedness contexts, requisition authority can materially affect private rights, commercial operations, and contractual arrangements. The Order is therefore a key document for practitioners advising on contingency planning and legal risk.
From an enforcement and compliance standpoint, the Order’s importance lies in the fact that it provides the legal trigger for Part 3. Once Part 3 is operative, the State may be able to take actions that would otherwise be unavailable. This can include compelling the provision of resources or directing the use of resources in specified ways, depending on the substantive provisions of Part 3.
For lawyers, the practical impact is twofold. First, it affects advisory timing: counsel must know when the requisition regime is active to assess whether a client could be subject to requisition. Second, it affects validity and challenge analysis: if a requisition action is later contested, parties may examine whether the correct Part of the Act was in force and whether the activation order was properly made and effective on the relevant date.
Finally, the Order’s “current version” status as at 27 March 2026 indicates that the instrument remains part of the active legal landscape. Even where the Order itself is not frequently amended, its continued relevance underscores the need for practitioners to check the legislation timeline and version status when advising clients.
Related Legislation
- Requisition of Resources Act 1985 (including Part 3)
- Legislation Timeline / Versioning (to confirm the correct version as at the relevant date)
Source Documents
This article provides an overview of the Requisition of Resources Order 2023 for legal research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the official text for authoritative provisions.