After the Japanese surrendered, the independence of Indonesia was declared in Jakarta and Sukarno was chosen as the president of a new republic. Sumatra was then declared to be a province of the new republic and Medan was chosen as its capital. Despite this, many leaders were worried about the possibility of the Dutch returning and of the Malay aristocrats regaining their former power. Many of the Japanese-trained "pemuda" were then recruited into informal organizations such as "Badan Oentoek Membantor Pertahanan Asia" (Body for Assisting the Defence of Asia / BOMPA) and "Persatuan Pemuda Latihan" (Trained Youth Association) to defend the Republic under the arrangement of Xarim M.S – the executor for former BOMPA property.