PUTRAJAYA, Jan 15 — Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Ramanan Ramakrishnan has announced that the Social Security Organisation (SOCSO) is prepared to assist the victims of the recent explosion at Help University.
While the Higher Education Ministry (MOHE) is providing initial relief to the affected students, Ramanan confirmed that SOCSO and the Human Resources Ministry (MOHR) will provide complementary support.
“The victims have sustained severe trauma and remain in critical condition in the hospital. Our collective prayers are with them for a full and speedy recovery,” he told reporters after the MOHR monthly assembly today.
The explosion on Monday claimed the life of a 24-year-old practical training student from Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman. He was a third-year mechanical engineering student who was due to complete his industrial placement today.
According to media reports, the explosion occurred at 11.40am at Help University in Bukit Damansara. The blast involving an air-conditioning compressor left nine other people injured, four of whom are students.
Meanwhile, the Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) expects the investigation report on the explosion to be done within two weeks, said its deputy director-general (operations) Datuk Ahmad Izram Osman.
“No further announcements can be made as the investigation remains active, with the JBPM’s Fire Investigation Division from headquarters now involved in determining the cause. As a technical agency, we cannot speculate or offer any preliminary conclusions without full verification,” he said.
Izram said the probe would cover all angles, from recorded communications and inspecting relevant equipment to scrutinising owners and manufacturers.
He explained that analysis using specialised instrumentation, such as the Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry, generally requires a week or more.
“Should the investigation need more sophisticated technology, we will forward the samples to an external, accredited chemical laboratory for further analysis,” Izram added.
