His father ran an intercity bus company called Bintang Utara and often had to live away from home in the North Sumatran capital of Medan. His mother remained at Laguboti and encouraged the children to eat healthily, especially fish and papaya leaves, so they would develop high IQs.
The father ran an intercity bus company called Bintang Utara, which required him to travel frequently for work, leaving his family in Medan, the capital of North Sumatra. The mother remained at Laguboti and encouraged healthy eating habits, particularly fish and papaya leaves, to foster high intelligence in their children.