Zainal Arifin Paliwang

Zainal Arifin Paliwang (born 6 December 1962) is an Indonesian police officer and politician who has been the 2nd Governor of North Kalimantan since 2021. Prior to his tenure as governor he was a police officer that rose to the rank of brigadier general and served as deputy chief of police of North Kalimantan from 2018 to 2020.

Early life and education Zainal Arifin Paliwang was born in Makassar, Indonesia, on 6 December 1962. He graduated from Angkas 2 Mandal district in 1979, Kasiguncu 1st State Middle School in 1982, and State Senior High School 1 Ujungpandang in 1986. He graduated with a Bachelor of Laws degree from Slamet Rijadi University in 2004, a Master of Law degree from Gadjah Mada University in 2006, and a Doctor of Law degree from Hasanuddin University in 2024.

Career Paliwang was a brigadier general. He graduated from a police academy in 1986, and worked for the Indonesian National Police as a criminal investigator. From 2018 to 2020, he served as deputy chief of police of North Kalimantan.

Paliwang was elected governor of North Kalimantan after defeating Irianto Lambrie-Irwan Sabri and Udin Hiangio-Undunsyah in the 2020 election and he was reelected in 2024. Paliwang's deputy governor was Yansen Tipa Padan from 2021 to 2025, and then Ingkong Ala since 2025.

In 2021, Paliwang became chair of the advisory board of the North Kalimantan Gerindra Party.

Personal life Paliwang married Rachmawati Zainal, with whom he had three children. His son died in a car accident in 2022.

Political positions Paliwang supports the development of gold mining in the Mahak River.