Statute Details
- Title: Requisition of Resources Order 2024
- Act Code: RRA1985-S71-2024
- Type: Subsidiary Legislation (SL)
- Authorising Act: Requisition of Resources Act 1985
- Enacting authority: Minister for Defence
- Legal basis: Powers conferred by section 2 of the Requisition of Resources Act 1985
- Citation: “Requisition of Resources Order 2024”
- SL number: S 71
- Date made: 10 January 2024
- Date of requisition / commencement of Part 3: 3 February 2024
- Duration / operation: Part 3 provisions “come into and remain in operation” on 3 February 2024 (as stated in the Order)
- Status: Current version as at 27 Mar 2026 (per the legislation portal)
What Is This Legislation About?
The Requisition of Resources Order 2024 is a Singapore subsidiary legislation instrument made under the Requisition of Resources Act 1985. In practical terms, it activates a specific portion of the parent Act—namely, Part 3—for a defined period starting on a particular date.
While the extract provided is brief, its legal effect is significant: it brings into force the operational provisions in Part 3 of the Act on 3 February 2024. The Order does not itself set out the substantive requisition powers; instead, it functions as a “switch” that turns on the relevant statutory machinery in the parent Act.
For lawyers and compliance teams, the key point is that the Order is not merely administrative. Requisition regimes typically relate to the government’s ability to secure resources—such as services, materials, or other assets—during emergencies or periods of heightened national need. By activating Part 3, the Minister for Defence authorises the legal framework that enables requisition actions under the Act.
What Are the Key Provisions?
Section 1 (Citation) provides the formal name of the instrument: this is the “Requisition of Resources Order 2024”. This is standard drafting and primarily assists identification and referencing in legal documents, notices, and correspondence.
Section 2 (Date of requisition) is the operative provision in the extract. It states that “the provisions of Part 3 of the Act are to come into and remain in operation on 3 February 2024.” This language is crucial. It indicates that Part 3 is not merely “commenced” for a short window; rather, it is intended to remain operative from that date, subject to how the parent Act governs duration, termination, or further orders.
From a practitioner’s perspective, Section 2 raises immediate interpretive and operational questions that should be addressed by consulting the Requisition of Resources Act 1985 itself—especially Part 3. Typically, Part 3 would contain the substantive requisition powers, procedural steps, and consequences (for example, how requisition notices are issued, what resources may be requisitioned, and the rights and obligations of affected persons). The Order’s function is to make those provisions legally active.
Enacting formula and authority confirm that the Minister for Defence makes the Order in exercise of powers under section 2 of the Act. This matters for validity and for any challenge: if the parent Act confers the power to bring Part 3 into operation by order, then the Minister’s action is within the statutory competence. Conversely, if the parent Act imposes conditions precedent (such as a determination of necessity, consultation, or a requirement that certain circumstances exist), those conditions would need to be satisfied for the Order to be lawful.
Finally, the extract includes the making date (10 January 2024) and the date of requisition (3 February 2024). This timeline suggests that the Order was made in advance of the date on which Part 3 would take effect. Lawyers should note that, depending on the parent Act, there may be transitional effects, preparatory steps, or administrative actions taken between the making date and the commencement date.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
The Requisition of Resources Order 2024 is structured as a short subsidiary legislation instrument with at least two provisions in the extract:
(1) Section 1 sets out the citation; and (2) Section 2 specifies the date on which Part 3 of the Requisition of Resources Act 1985 comes into and remains in operation.
Although the Order itself is brief, it is best understood as part of a layered legal framework. The Order is a trigger that activates the substantive provisions in the parent Act. Therefore, the “real content” for requisition powers will be found in Part 3 of the Requisition of Resources Act 1985, not in the Order’s text. In practice, legal research should therefore proceed in two steps: (i) read the Order to identify the commencement and scope of activation; and (ii) read Part 3 of the Act to determine the operative legal rights, duties, procedures, and remedies.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
The Order itself applies by virtue of activating Part 3 of the Requisition of Resources Act 1985. Accordingly, its practical reach will depend on how Part 3 defines the persons and entities subject to requisition—often including owners, occupiers, operators, suppliers, or persons in possession or control of relevant resources.
In general terms, the requisition framework would apply to those who can provide or control the resources targeted by the Act. This may include private companies, public bodies, and individuals, depending on the definitions and categories in Part 3. Lawyers advising affected parties should treat the Order as a signal that statutory requisition powers are active and that compliance obligations, notice requirements, and potential compensation or dispute mechanisms under the Act may be engaged.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Although the Requisition of Resources Order 2024 is short, it is legally and operationally important because it activates a statutory regime that can materially affect property rights, contractual arrangements, and business operations. Requisition powers typically allow the government to secure resources for public purposes, sometimes on an expedited basis. When Part 3 is in operation, affected persons may face obligations to comply with requisition notices or directions.
For practitioners, the Order is also important for timing. The date of requisition—3 February 2024—determines when the legal powers in Part 3 become available. This can be critical in disputes about whether a requisition was validly issued, whether compliance was required at a particular time, and whether any procedural steps were taken within the statutory framework.
Additionally, the Order’s reliance on section 2 of the Requisition of Resources Act 1985 underscores the need to understand the parent Act’s conditions and safeguards. If the Act contains procedural protections (for example, requirements for written notices, limitations on scope, review mechanisms, or compensation provisions), those safeguards become relevant immediately once Part 3 is activated. Conversely, if the Act allows requisition in broad circumstances, counsel should assess the potential breadth of government authority and the available avenues for challenge or negotiation.
From a compliance standpoint, the Order may require businesses and institutions to review internal readiness: identifying relevant assets and services that could fall within the requisition categories, establishing points of contact for government communications, and ensuring that contracts and operational processes can respond to statutory directions. Even where compensation is available, requisition can disrupt supply chains and staffing, so early legal and operational planning is valuable.
Related Legislation
- Requisition of Resources Act 1985 (including Part 3 and section 2 as the authorising provision for this Order)
- Resources Act 1985 (noted in the metadata; practitioners should confirm the correct parent Act title and numbering as displayed in official sources)
Source Documents
This article provides an overview of the Requisition of Resources Order 2024 for legal research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the official text for authoritative provisions.