The Indonesian communist leader who vied with Sukarno for power. Tan Malaka returned from Europe in 1919 after his education there. The communists were at that time working with Sarekat Islam (Islamic Association) but in 1921 they parted ways with the Sarekat. Tan Malaka represented Indonesia at the 4th Congress of Communist International in 1922. In 1927 Tan Malaka founded the Indonesia republic party. He competed with Sukarno during the Japanese occupation of Java during the Second World War. But Sukarno made Sultan Sjahrir, the Prime Minister, who favoured settlement with the Dutch. In 1946, Tan Malaka was arrested for an attempted coup. The Dutch who did not want to surrender control arrested Sukarno and Mahmmad Hatta. In 1948 Tan Malaka claimed himself head of Java which was in Indonesian control. But supporters of Sukarno captured and killed him. Tan Malaka was also the author of several works including his autobiography From Prison to Prison.