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.
His father operated an intercity bus company called Bintang Utara, frequently residing in Medan, the capital of North Sumatra. His mother remained at Laguboti and instilled a healthy diet, particularly fish and papaya leaves, to foster high intelligence in their children.