Clause 156

In this Act, if not inconsistent with the context, the expression “on active service” as applied to a person subject to military law means whenever he is attached to or forms part of a force which is engaged in operations against the enemy or is engaged in military operations in a country or place wholly or partly occupied by an enemy, or is in military occupation of any foreign country.

Where the Singapore armed forces are serving outside Singapore, the general officer or brigadier commanding such forces, declares at any time or times that, by reason of the imminence of active service or of the recent existence of active service, it is necessary for the service that the forces under his command should be temporarily subject to this Act, as if they were on active service, then, on the publication in general orders of any such declaration, the forces to which the declaration applies shall be deemed to be on active service for the period mentioned in the declaration, so that the period mentioned in any one declaration does not exceed three months from the date thereof.

If at any time during the said period the general officer or brigadier for the time being is of opinion that the necessity continues he may from time to time renew such declaration for another period not exceeding three months, and such renewal shall be published and shall have effect as the original declaration, and if he is of opinion that the said necessity has ceased, he shall state such opinion, and on the publication in general orders of such statement, the forces to which the declaration applies shall cease to be deemed to be on active service.

It shall be the duty of every general officer or brigadier making a declaration or renewal of a declaration under this section, if he has the means of direct telegraphic communication with the Minister to obtain the previous consent of the Minister to such declaration or renewal, and in any other case to report the same with the utmost practicable speed to the Minister.

The Minister may, if he thinks fit, annul a declaration or renewal purporting to be made in pursuance of this section, without prejudice to anything done by virtue thereof before the date at which the annulment takes effect, and until that date any such declaration or renewal shall be deemed to have been duly made in accordance with this section, and shall have full effect.