Statute Details
- Title: Visiting Forces (Exemption) Order
- Full Title: N/A
- Act Code: VFA1960-OR5
- Type: sl
- Commencement Date: N/A
- Parts: N/A
- Key Sections: N/A
- Related Legislation: Legislation
What Is This Legislation About?
The Visiting Forces (Exemption) Order is a piece of secondary legislation in Singapore that provides an exemption from certain telecommunications regulations for visiting foreign military forces. Specifically, it exempts letters and postcards conveyed by the postal services of visiting forces from the restrictions imposed by Section 20(3) of the Telecommunication Authority of Singapore Act.
The purpose of this Order is to facilitate the communication needs of foreign military personnel stationed in Singapore as part of a visiting force. By granting an exemption from the general postal monopoly, it allows these personnel to use their own national postal services to send and receive mail, rather than being required to use Singapore's public postal system.
This Order is made under the authority of the Visiting Forces Act, which provides the legal framework for the presence and activities of foreign military forces in Singapore. The Visiting Forces (Exemption) Order is one of the mechanisms used to implement the provisions of the Visiting Forces Act and ensure the smooth operation of visiting forces in the country.
What Are the Key Provisions?
The Visiting Forces (Exemption) Order contains two main provisions:
1. Citation
Section 1 simply states that this Order may be cited as the "Visiting Forces (Exemption) Order".
2. Exemption from Section 20(3) of the Telecommunication Authority of Singapore Act
Section 2 is the substantive provision that grants the exemption. It states that, to the extent provided by any agreement or arrangement between the Government of Singapore and the government of the country to which a visiting force belongs, letters and postcards conveyed, received, collected, sent, dispatched, delivered or distributed by means of the postal services of that visiting force shall be exempted from the restrictions of Section 20(3) of the Telecommunication Authority of Singapore Act.
Section 20(3) of the Telecommunication Authority of Singapore Act establishes a postal monopoly, prohibiting any person other than the Telecommunication Authority of Singapore from conveying letters within Singapore, with certain exceptions. The Visiting Forces (Exemption) Order carves out an exception to this monopoly for the postal services of visiting foreign military forces.
The exemption is subject to any conditions and restrictions that may be prescribed in the relevant agreement or arrangement between the Government of Singapore and the government of the visiting force. This allows the terms of the exemption to be tailored to the specific circumstances and requirements of each visiting force.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
The Visiting Forces (Exemption) Order is a relatively short piece of legislation, consisting of only two sections. The first section simply provides the citation, while the second section contains the substantive provision granting the exemption from the postal monopoly.
There are no further subdivisions or parts within the Order. The legislation is structured in a straightforward manner, focusing solely on the specific exemption being provided.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
The Visiting Forces (Exemption) Order applies to foreign military forces that are visiting and stationed in Singapore. The exemption is granted to the postal services of these visiting forces, allowing them to convey letters and postcards without being subject to the restrictions of the Telecommunication Authority of Singapore Act.
The scope of the exemption is limited to the extent provided by any agreement or arrangement between the Government of Singapore and the government of the country to which the visiting force belongs. This means the specific terms and conditions of the exemption may vary depending on the bilateral arrangements in place for each visiting force.
The Order does not apply to the general public or to other types of organizations or entities in Singapore. It is a targeted exemption aimed at facilitating the communication needs of foreign military personnel temporarily stationed in the country.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
The Visiting Forces (Exemption) Order is an important piece of legislation that supports the presence and operations of foreign military forces in Singapore. By granting an exemption from the postal monopoly, it allows these visiting forces to use their own national postal services to send and receive mail, rather than being required to use Singapore's public postal system.
This exemption helps to maintain the operational effectiveness and communication capabilities of the visiting forces, which is crucial for the successful implementation of any bilateral defense cooperation or joint military exercises. It also helps to preserve the privacy and confidentiality of communications between the visiting forces and their home countries.
From a practical perspective, the Order ensures that the visiting forces can efficiently manage their postal and communication needs without being hindered by domestic telecommunications regulations. This contributes to the overall smooth functioning of the visiting forces' presence in Singapore and facilitates the broader defense and security cooperation between Singapore and the countries involved.
Importantly, the exemption is subject to any conditions and restrictions agreed upon between the Government of Singapore and the government of the visiting force. This allows the terms of the exemption to be tailored to the specific circumstances and requirements of each visiting force, ensuring a balanced and mutually beneficial arrangement.
Related Legislation
- Visiting Forces Act (Chapter 344)
- Telecommunication Authority of Singapore Act (Chapter 323)
Source Documents
This article provides an overview of the Visiting Forces (Exemption) Order for legal research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the official text for authoritative provisions.