Both of his parents were teachers at a ''Normaalschool''.

Zulkifli Lubis enjoyed a Dutch education at the ''Hollandsch Inlansche School''. After completing HIS, then Zulkifli continued to Meer Uitgebreid Lager Onderwijs (MULO). At that time Zulkifli Lubis began reading the Deli Blaad newspaper, which he obtained from a friend who was selling it. Through Deli Blaad, Zulkifli got to know the