Retired Major General Arnold Appointed as Director General of Water Resources at Ministry of Public Works, Brings Engineering Corps Experience

Retired Major General TNI Arnold Aristoteles Paplapna Ritiauw has officially taken office as the Director General of Water Resources (Dirjen SDA) at the Ministry of Public Works (PU). The appointment of the two-star retired general was carried out based on Presidential Decree of the Republic of Indonesia Number 39/TPA of 2026 regarding Dismissal and Appointment to and from High Leadership Positions at the Middle Level within the Ministry of Public Works. Arnold replaces Dwi Purwantoro, who previously served as Dirjen SDA. Dwi is known to have resigned from his position in February 2026. Prior to the appointment, there were speculations circulating about the possibility of active or retired TNI members filling Echelon I positions within the Ministry of Public Works. Arnold Aristoteles Paplapna Ritiauw was born on 10 March 1969. He is a 1991 graduate of the Military Academy (Akmil) from the Engineering branch, which has close ties to the elite Kopassus unit. Before entering retirement, Arnold served as Governor of the Military Academy. After that, since 31 July 2025, he has been entrusted as an Expert Instructor in the Field of Strategy at the National Resilience Institute (Lemhannas). Throughout his career, Arnold has undergone various military education. He participated in Engineering branch training, command education, and parachuting training, which served as important provisions during his duties. Arnold also pursued advanced education at the Army Staff and Command School (Seskoad) in 2005, then continued his education at the Indonesian Armed Forces Staff and Command College (Sesko TNI) in 2015. Record of Arnold Aristoteles’s Positions Throughout his military career, Arnold has held several important positions, particularly within Kopassus and territorial units. He also once served as Commander of the District Military Command (Dandim) 0609/Bandung Regency before being entrusted with higher positions. His career continued to rise. After serving as Commander of the District Military Command, he then served as Commander of the Regional Military Command (Danrem) 133/Nani Wartabone and Danrem 151/Binaiya. Subsequently, Arnold was entrusted with the position of Intelligence Officer (Ir) of the 3rd Infantry Division/Kostrad, Inspector of the Military Academy, and finally as Governor of the Military Academy.