The treaty was signed by Permanent Representative of Malaysia to the UN Datuk Hasmy Agam, said a Wisma Putra statement.
"The signing of the CTBT is in consonance with Malaysia's firm commitment to the goals of general and complete disarmament. It is also a reaffirmation of Malaysia's consistent support towards all international efforts aimed at nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation of nuclear weapons," said the statement.
The CTBT was opened for signature on Sept 24, 1996 and to date, 150 countries including Malaysia have signed it.
Fifteen countries have ratified the treaty which will be enforced only after all 44 countries which have nuclear research reactors in their territory have ratified the CTBT.
The CTBT bans all nuclear weapon test explosions and any other nuclear explosion and provides a verification regime that consists of an International Monitoring System, consultation and clarification, on-site inspections and confidence-building measures.
The statement said that as part of the International Monitoring System of the Treaty, Malaysia will be hosting a radionuclide monitoring station.
The Malaysia Institute of Nuclear Technology Research will act as the national agency for overseeing the implementation of the requirements of the treaty, it said.
Meanwhile, visiting Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer welcomed Malaysia's move to sign the treaty.
He said Malaysia's signature on the CTBT reflected the importance countries place on security benefits provided by treaty in light of the challenges to the global nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament posed by the recent nuclear tests by India and Pakistan.
"I encourage other countries, particularly those in the region, to sign and ratify the CTBT as soon as possible so that the powerful international norm against testing which the Treaty represents is made as strong as possible," he said in a statement before departing for Hong Kong after his three-day official visit here.
