Ramlan was born on 7 September 1955 in Sipahutar, a village located in North Tapanuli in Sumatra, Indonesia.

[1] During the New Order regime of Indonesian President Suharto the military had a strong political role.

[2] Several days later, the police stated that Ramlan was arrested on charges of holding an illegal meeting, but refused to give any clarifications on his torture.

[5] During his tenure as General Secretary, a conflict relating to the establishment of a HKBP church in Ciketing, a subdistrict in Bekasi, occurred.

Ramlan and the Ephorus demanded the President of Indonesia at that time, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, resolve the problem.