Officials from both sides exchanged documents to ratify a special agreement signed three months ago by their foreign ministers to bring their row to the ICJ, according to a foreign ministry statement here.

"The exchange of instruments of ratification is the final process before the actual submission of the case to the ICJ which is expected to take place within the following weeks," the statement said.

Malaysia was represented by foreign ministry deputy secretary-general Aziz Mohammed and Singapore by its High Commissioner here, Ashok Kumar Mirpuri at the ceremony in the government capital of Putrajaya.

The island, known as Pulau Batu Puteh to Malaysia and Pedra Branca to Singapore, is the latest source of tension between the two countries.

Malaysia said it has had sovereignty over the territory since the early 16th century.

But Singapore maintains it has exercised sovereign rights on the islet since the time when the British colonial government occupied it and constructed a lighthouse there.

Both sides have had a testy relationship since Singapore was expelled from the Malaysian Federation and gained independence in 1965.

Other disputes include the sale of Malaysian water to the city-state, a proposed new bridge linking the two countries, use of Malaysian airspace by Singaporean aircraft and the location of Malaysia's customs, immigration and quarantine facilities in Singapore.

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