EMERGING MARKETS-Rupiah jumps after c.bank allays fears over autonomy

* Graphic: World FX rates http://tmsnrt.rs/2egbfVh * Graphic: Foreign flows into Asian stocks https://tmsnrt.rs/3lKhL5I * S. Korean won firms over 2% for the week * Thai shares, baht on track to post weekly gains By Anushka Trivedi Sept 18 (Reuters) - Indonesia's rupiah rose to a more than two-week high on Friday, taking heart from central bank assurances of its freedom from political influence and a decision to keep interest rates steady in aid of supporting the currency. Helped by a weaker dollar, the rupiah firmed 0.6% and local stocks also rose, putting both on course for weekly gains after two weeks of volatility driven by concerns about the economy and proposals to change the central bank law to hand government more say in policymaking. Asked about the deliberations in parliament, Governor Perry Warjiyo said on Thursday President Joko Widodo and Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati had both pledged that monetary policy would remain independent. "It appears that Bank Indonesia wants to send out a message about their independence by keeping the rate unchanged," said Societe Generale economist Kunal Kundu. "The question remains whether a weakening economy and lower growth potential can be ignored going forward." Joseph Incalcaterra, HSBC Global Research's chief ASEAN economist, said that a window to trim the rates may open up later this year, likely after the U.S. presidential election. Other Asian currencies gained ground after downbeat U.S. jobs data overnight and the Federal Reserve's promise to keep interest rates at a record low weighed on the dollar. The South Korean won and the Taiwan dollar advanced about 1% each to lead gains in the region. The won outperformed to end the week over 2% firmer, its fastest weekly gain since early June, while the local bourse also rose 0.3% on foreign buying. Most Asian stock markets eked out modest gains after a day of major global central bank meetings where adequate monetary support was promised but without much details. Singapore, which is moving to try and reopen its economy even as coronavirus cases continue to emerge in migrant worker dormitories, was up just 0.3% on the week. Thai stocks were set to end higher for the first week in three, while the baht remained on course to appreciate for a second straight week, ahead of a central bank meeting on Wednesday. Thailand's tourism- and export-reliant economy has been reeling from weakened demand amid the COVID-19 pandemic, though the recent removal of most virus restrictions has given markets some hope. "In my view, we have seen the worst of the capital outflows from Thailand," said Nader Naeimi, head of dynamic markets at AMP Capital. "The most significant catalyst for foreign inflows from here is success in phase-three COVID vaccine trials," he said, adding that conditions for an upturn in markets were in place. HIGHLIGHTS ** Indonesian 3-year benchmark yields are down 0.6 basis points at 5.102% ** Top Glove climbs 5% on plans to list on HK after record profit, boosts Malaysia index ** In the Philippines, top index losers are SM Investments Corp down 3.65% and Bloomberry Resorts Corp down 3.02% Asia stock indexes and currencies at 0737 GMT COUNTRY FX RIC FX DAILY % FX YTD % INDEX STOCKS STOCKS DAILY YTD % % Japan +0.15 +3.86 0.18 -1.25 China +0.12 +3.06 2.07 9.44 India +0.33 -2.77 0.38 -5.00 Indonesi +0.54 -5.83 0.31 -19.77 a Malaysia +0.29 -0.87 0.39 -4.39 Philippi +0.08 +4.65 -0.58 -24.39 nes S.Korea +1.22 -0.34 0.26 9.77 Singapor +0.06 -0.85 -0.12 -22.50 e Taiwan +1.01 +3.75 0.02 7.32 Thailand +0.22 -3.89 -0.04 -18.73 (Reporting by Anushka Trivedi, Shashwat Awasthi in Bengaluru and Scott Murdoch in Hong Kong; Editing by Ramakrishnan M.)