THE HAGUE (AFP) - The International Court of Justice (ICJ) will decide on Tuesday whether the Philippines will have a say in a territorial dispute currently before the court that involves Malaysia and Indonesia.

Malaysia and Indonesia have agreed to allow the ICJ to settle their dispute over the ownership of the islands of Pulau Litigan and Pulau Sipidan, situated off the coast of Sabah.

The Philippines fear the proceedings before the court might have a bearing on the legal status of North Borneo, to which Manila has claims as well.

Malaysia is expected to cite its ownership of Sabah as the basis for its claim to the disputed Celebes Sea islands.

But the Philippines also lays claim to Sabah on the grounds that it was ruled by a southern Philippine sultanate in the 15th century.

Both Indonesia and Malaysia oppose giving the Philippines a say in their dispute over the tiny islands.

The Sabah question has been an irritant in ties between Manila and Kuala Lumpur ever since former Philippine president Diosdado Macapagal revived a claim to the state when it became independent and joined Malaysia in 1963.

The Philippines has never formally renounced its claim to Sabah, although officials in Manila have said they would not allow the dispute to disrupt bilateral relations.