JAKARTA, Oct 23 — Southeast Asian stocks were firmer today led by Indonesia, but surrendered early gains on fears over tighter policy in China after weak US jobs data.

At 0657 GMT (1457 Malaysia time) Jakarta’s Composite Index (JCI) was up 0.9 per cent led by financials, after losing 1.4 per cent in the previous session, while the Philippines’ main share index was trading 0.5 per cent firmer.

Concerns about a weaker US economy after disappointing US jobs data yesterday kept gains in check.

Jakarta-based Trimegah Securities in a investor note said the rise in the Indonesian index was due to regional positive sentiment on expectations of continuation in US stimulus.

The benchmark Straits Times Index, which touched a one-month high of 3235.25 in early trade, was up 0.1 per cent to 3213.65 points at 0657 GMT, led by a 1 per cent rise in Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation Ltd.

Malaysia was up 0.7 per cent while Vietnam gained 0.8 per cent. The Thai market was closed for a public holiday.

In Asia, markets retreated after early gains on fears of tighter policy in China, while the dollar dropped after tepid US jobs data vanquished expectations that the Federal Reserve will taper its stimulus before next year. — Reuters