Indonesian stocks and the rupiah experienced a remarkable rebound on Monday (05/10) as global markets were relieved to see weak US jobs growth data at the end of last week. On Friday (02/10), it was announced that US September non-farm payrolls stood at 142,000, far below the market consensus of 203,000. Most investors now believe that the US Federal Reserve has too little scope to raise its key interest rate before the end of the year or even before the second quarter of 2016.

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Again schools were ordered to shut (for at least two days) in Malaysia in order to protect children from inhaling smog as the air quality remains at very unhealthy levels (nearly hazardous in some regions). The air pollutant index still shows readings of between 201 to 300 in six districts around Malaysia's capital city of Kuala Lumpur. The haze, which - reportedly - may become the worst haze ever, is caused by companies' and people's illegal slash-and-burn practices to clear land for planting on parts of the Indonesian islands of Sumatra and Kalimantan. The situation is exacerbated by the (El Nino-related) prolonged dry season.

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Asian stock indices surged on Monday morning (05/10) on relief that the Federal Reserve may need to postpone a key Fed Fund Rate hike after the release of weak US jobs data at the end of last week. Indonesia's benchmark Jakarta Composite Index was up 2.40 percent to 4,309.71 points by 10:30 am local Jakarta time. Meanwhile, the rupiah had appreciated 0.59 percent to IDR 14,559 per US dollar by the same time (Bloomberg Dollar Index).

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In its latest East Asia and Pacific Economic Update, released on Monday (05/10), the World Bank cut its forecast for economic growth in east Asian developing markets through 2017 primarily on China's economic slowdown. Developing East Asia is estimated to grow 6.5 percent in 2015, down from the 6.7 percent estimate in the World Bank April's update. However, the region remains one the world's key growth drivers.

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