KUALA LUMPUR: HELP University chancellor Dr Paul Chan expresses deep concern for those affected by a fatal explosion at the university’s cafeteria earlier this week.
The explosion, believed to have been caused by a ruptured air conditioning compressor during maintenance work at the university’s Bukit Damansara campus on Monday (Jan 12), killed one external contractor and injured nine others, including four students.
Dr Chan described the incident as “somewhat unfortunate” and extended his condolences to the family of the worker who died while repairing the air‑conditioning unit.
He also expressed care and concern for the injured students and others, noting that they are being “very well taken care of.”
“You have heard what happened, it is somewhat unfortunate that this incident happened, and I express our condolences to the worker who was sent to repair our A/C units.
“At the same time, I also want to express our care and concern for the few students who have been injured,” he told reporters at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between MACC and HELP University and the launch of the 2026 Governance and Integrity Forum on Tuesday (Jan 13).
Dr Chan also took the opportunity to thank the university community and others who reached out with messages of support following the blast.
“This is a very typical attitude of care for one another, and it reminds me that HELP means something to them,” he said.
In a statement Monday (Jan 12), the City Fire and Rescue Department said that the explosion destroyed about a third of the room.
"The explosion caused approximately 30% damage on the 4th floor but there was no fire.
"Investigations found that the explosion occurred in the air-conditioning compressor room located in the HELP University cafeteria on the fourth floor while maintenance work was being carried out by the a contractor," it said.
