Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore Act 1996 · 2020 Revised Edition · Part 3 · Functions, Duties and Powers of Authority
9. Directions by Minister
Feedback & supportLast amended by an amending law of 2018.
The Minister may, after consultation with a person to whom this section applies, give —
if the person is the Authority, to the Authority any direction under section 5 of the Public Sector (Governance) Act 2018; or
if the person is a public licensee, any directions as the Minister thinks fit as to the exercise by that licensee of the licensee’s functions under this Act.
In addition to the power mentioned in subsection (1), if it appears to the Minister to be requisite or expedient to do so —
on the occurrence of any public emergency, in the public interest or in the interests of public security, national defence, or relations with the government of another country; or
in order to —
discharge or facilitate the discharge of an obligation binding on the Government by virtue of its being a member of an international organisation or a party to an international agreement;
attain or facilitate the attainment of any other object the attainment of which is in the opinion of the Minister requisite or expedient in view of the Government being a member of an international organisation or a party to an international agreement; or
enable the Government to become a member of an international organisation or a party to an international agreement,the Minister may, after consultation with a person to whom this section applies, give such directions to that person as are necessary in the circumstances of the case.
Any direction given under subsection (1) or (2) may include provisions for —
the prohibition or regulation of any marine or port services and facilities;
the taking of, the control of, or the usage for official purposes of, any marine or port services and facilities and all or any system and equipment relating to the marine or port services and facilities; and
the carrying out of any other purposes which the Minister thinks necessary.
A person to whom this section applies must give effect to any direction given to that person under subsection (1) or (2) despite any other duty imposed on that person by or under this Act or any other written law.
A person to whom this section applies must not disclose any direction given to that person under subsection (1) or (2) if the Minister notifies that person that the Minister is of the opinion that the disclosure of the direction is against the public interest.
The Minister may —
pay compensation for any damage caused to a public licensee by reason of its compliance with the directions of the Minister under subsection (3)(b);
make grants to public licensees for defraying or contributing towards any losses which they may sustain by reason of their compliance with the directions of the Minister under any other provision of this section.
Any sum required by the Minister for paying compensation or making grants under subsection (6) must be paid out of the Consolidated Fund.
This section applies to the Authority and to every public licensee.
If any doubt arises as to the existence of a public emergency or as to whether any act done under this section was in the public interest or in the interests of public security, national defence or relations with the government of another country, a certificate signed by the Minister is conclusive evidence of the matters stated in the certificate.