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JELEBU, May 17 (Bernama) -- The problem of overlapping claims on the Spratlys between Malaysia and Indonesia will not be referred to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), said Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim.

He said if the issue were to be taken to the ICJ, both countries should agree and express this agreement on paper.

"I have already discussed with Indonesian Foreign Minister Dr N. Hassan Wirajuda and he had agreed that the matter should be referred to the respective governments concerned so that the Spratlys could be surveyed according to the elements of maritime surveying experts with regard to the respective countries' rights over territorial waters and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)," he told reporters after a function here Saturday.

However, he did not disclose which party did not agree to refer the matter to the ICJ but based on media reports last week, it was Indonesia which refused.

The Spratlys represent a block of waters in the Sulawesi Sea that is rich in oil reserves.

The problem over the Spratly Islands would be resolved by technical experts and a group comprising neutral experts, said Rais.

Previously, the issue on the overlapping claims by both countries over Ligitan and Sipadan Islands was decided by the ICJ in Malaysia's favour.

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