JAKARTA - The International Court of Justice, also known as the World Court, will issue its decision next month on a 27-year-old dispute between Indonesia and Malaysia over the ownership of two islands, Indonesia's Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda said today.

The decision over the competing claims to Sipadan and Ligitan off Borneo will be made on Dec 12, he told a parliamentary committee.

"We pray for that decision to be in our favour," Wirayuda was quoted by the state Antara news agency as saying.

The two countries agreed to refer the sovereignty row to the international court in the Netherlands after failed bilateral negotiations in recent years.

Ligitan and Sipadan, off the coast of Malaysia's Sabah state and Indonesia's East Kalimantan province, have been an irritant in relations between the two neighbours since 1969 when both laid claim to the islands.

Great diving spot

Sipadan is recognised as one of the the best diving sites in Southeast Asia.

Malaysia has ordered a halt to new projects on the two islands pending the ruling but has allowed five Malaysian tourism companies on the islands to continue operations.

The two countries have agreed they will accept the court's decision.

Sipadan drew international attention in April 2000 after members of the Abu Sayyaf militant group from the Philippines raided the island and kidnapped 21 Malaysians and foreigners.