Regional stocks were supported by overnight railles on Wall St, but investors remain cautious ahead of the widely anticipated hike in rates after next week's Federal Open market Committee (FOMC) meeting.
The Indonesian rupaih fell nearly eight percent on the day as the market reacted to news the President Abdurrahamn Wahid has appointed his brother to a top government post, raising charges of cronyism and nepotism. The president's youngest brother was made and expert adviser to the Indonesian bank Restructuring Agency back in January, but the move only hit the news this week.
