Malaysia today said it was ready to win a legal tussle with Singapore over sovereignty of rocky outcrops in the South China Sea as the two sides prepare for a clash at the International Court of Justice in the Netherlands.

"We are well prepared and our team has all the documents and evidence to win the dispute," Attorney General Abdul Gani Patail, who is already in the Hague, told the state news agency Bernama .

The ICJ is expected to resolve the almost three decade-long dispute over Pulau Batu Puteh, which Singapore calls Pedra Branca island, Middle Rocks and South Ledge, all located in the waters off Johor.

The hearing begins on Nov 6 with Singapore given four days to present its initial oral arguments with Malaysia presenting its side starting Nov 13, according to a statement on the ICJ's website.

It will be followed by a second round of arguments following which a decision is expected before the middle of next year, Bernama reported.

"Everyone is in high spirit... especially myself. This is one of the most anticipated disputes after Malaysia won the tussle over the Ligitan and Sipadan islands in 2002," said Abdul Gani.

Acrimonious exchanges

Singapore has administered the Horsburgh Lighthouse on Pedra Branca from colonial times but the controversy erupted in 1979 when the outcrops were claimed by each country as theirs.

There have been numerous debates and often acrimonious exchanges between the media and governments of both countries over their status.

Sovereignty over the outcrops remained a thorn in relations until both sides agreed in 2003 to submit the dispute to the ICJ for adjudication.

The dispute has been among a number of unresolved issues that Singapore and Malaysia have squabbled over for years.

Malaysia and Singapore have strong economic ties but have squabbled periodically since Singapore was ejected from the new Malaysian federation in 1965.