List of Famous people born in North Sumatra, Indonesia

Abdul Somad Batubara is an Indonesian Islamic preacher and scholar from Asahan, North Sumatra. His dawah and lectures are characterized by unique rhetoric and humor that attract layman as well, and often broadcast through the YouTube channel and other social media. He is currently also serving as a lecturer at the Sultan Syarif Kasim II State Islamic University in Riau. In addition to his lecture, he has authored books, among them are translations of Arabic publications, and religious guides regarding individual subjects such as qurbani and salah.

Ratna Sarumpaet is an Indonesian human rights activist. She is also a theatrical producer, actress, film director, and writer. In July 2019 she was sentenced to two years in jail for spreading hoaxes.

Sybil Medan Kathigasu GM was a Malayan Eurasian nurse who supported the resistance during the Japanese occupation of Malaya. She was the only Malayan woman to be ever awarded with the George Medal for bravery.

Sudi Silalahi is an Indonesian politician. He was the Secretary of State of the Republic of Indonesia from October 22, 2009 to October 20, 2014. He was also the secretary of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono when Yudhoyono was serving as Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs under the administration of Megawati Soekarnoputri.

Sabam Gunung Panangian Sirait is a senior Indonesian politician. Currently, he is a member of the DPD RI since January 15, 2018. Sabam is the father of the Indonesian House of Representatives Member of the PDIP Faction Maruarar Sirait.

Egy Maulana Vikri is an Indonesian professional footballer who plays as a winger for Slovak Super Liga club ViOn Zlaté Moravce and the Indonesia national team. In 2017, Egy was named as one of the 60 most talented and promising players born in the year 2000 by The Guardian.

Sukanto Tanoto is an Indonesian businessman involved primarily in the lumber industry. As of 2013 he was considered to be one of Indonesia's wealthiest individuals with a net worth of US$ 2.3 billion. After starting as a supplier of equipment and materials for the state-owned oil firm Pertamina, Tanoto moved into the forest industry in 1973. Tanoto's business interests are represented by the Royal Golden Eagle (RGE) group of companies.

Tengku Amir Hamzah was an Indonesian poet and National Hero of Indonesia. Born into a Malay aristocratic family in the Sultanate of Langkat in North Sumatra, he was educated in both Sumatra and Java. While attending senior high school in Surakarta around 1930, the youth became involved with the nationalist movement and fell in love with a Javanese schoolmate, Ilik Sundari. Even after Amir continued his studies in legal school in Batavia the two remained close, only separating in 1937 when Amir was recalled to Sumatra to marry the sultan's daughter and take on responsibilities of the court. Though unhappy with his marriage, he fulfilled his courtly duties. After Indonesia proclaimed its independence in 1945, he served as the government's representative in Langkat. The following year he was killed in a socialist revolution led by the Communist Party of Indonesia and buried in a mass grave.

Chairil Anwar was an Indonesian poet and member of the "1945 Generation" of writers. He is estimated to have written 96 works, including 70 individual poems.

Amir Sjarifuddin Harahap was an Indonesian politician and journalist who served as the second prime minister of Indonesia from 1947 until 1948. A major leader of the left-wing during the Indonesian National Revolution, he previously served as Minister of Information from 1945 until 1946 and Minister of Defense from 1945 until 1948. Amir was born into the Sumatran aristocracy, and was educated at Leiden University. At Leiden, he became a member of the board of the Gymnasium student association in Haarlem, and was involved in the Batak student organization Jong Batak. He returned to Indonesia due to family troubles, but continued his education at the Rechts Hogeschool in Batavia.