KUALA LUMPUR : Commenting on the Pedra Branca case being heard by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Malaysia's Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar has urged both sides to exercise maturity, so that the issue will not become an irritant to bilateral relations.

"I hope we are mature enough, both sides. There are so many irritants, but we are not conducting our foreign policy on irritants. We are looking at long term interest, and I hope that it is the long term interest that both sides will consider," said the Malaysian foreign minister.

Singapore presented its submission earlier this week before the court.

It claimed that Kuala Lumpur has no evidence to show its sovereignty over the outcrop.

But Mr Syed Hamid remains confident that Malaysia has every reason to stake its claim over the island which Malaysia calls Pulau Batu Puteh.

The Malaysian team will begin its submission on Nov 13.

"We do not go to court because we think we'll win by chance; we believe in the correctness of our position," said the Malaysian foreign minister.

He said both sides are expected to complete the submission by the first quarter of next year. He also reaffirmed Malaysia's commitment to abide by the ICJ ruling thereafter. - CNA /ls

• Background on Pedra Branca • Evidence points to Singapore's ownership of Pedra Branca: DPM Jayakumar • S'pore says it has exercised clear sovereignty over Pedra Branca • M'sia hopes Pedra Branca case will not affect ties with S'pore • Singapore says Malaysia has no original title of Pedra Branca • S'pore says Malaysia has no evidence to show it owns Pedra Branca