Malaysia and Singapore today signed an agreement to submit a territorial dispute to the International Court of Justice in The Hague.

Malaysian Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar (left) and his Singaporean counterpart S Jayakumar signed the agreement in Putrajaya.

The agreement, which needs to be ratified by both countries, binds the neighbours to bring to the ICJ their dispute over the islet of Pedra Branca, which Malaysia calls Pulau Batu Puteh.

Two other rocky outcrops, Middle Rock and South Ledge, are also covered by the agreement.