On 18 Mar 2016, Cuckoo conducted a press conference to put on record an official clarification regarding a smear campaign on social media. The management of CUCKOO announced that they will also take all necessary legal actions against the responsible parties who caused damage to CUCKOO's goodwill and reputation.
The cause of this incident happened on 9 Jan 2016, when numerous cases of food poisoning were reported in Maktab Rendah Sains Mara. As part of the relevant authority's standard investigation procedures, all aspects were looked into, including the CUCKOO Water Purifiers.
The authority found nothing wrong with the CUCKOO Water Purifiers. The product WAS NOT the cause of the food poisoning.
The CUCKOO team then quickly responded to the incident and conducted all the necessary tests, and found that there was no contamination in the water purifier or the water. They also took extra measures to ensure that there was no contamination at the water supply, so that the students of MRSM can continue to enjoy drinking safe, high-quality water from the CUCKOO Water Purifiers.
The Principal of MRSM, Mr. Sa'imin Bin Jumari was happy with CUCKOO's quick response to the abovementioned matter and the services offered by the CUCKOO team. Today, MSRM is still using the Cuckoo Water Purifier and the students are still enjoying clean and quality water from CUCKOO.
However, there are irresponsible opportunists that have started a smear campaign, spreading false accusations in social media channels to boost their own sales of water purifiers.
“ CUCKOO welcomes healthy competition but we strongly object to smear campaigns and misrepresentation to the public despite the fact that authorities cleared CUCKOO of any involvement in the food poisoning cases ” addressed by Mr KC Hoe, the CEO of Cuckoo International (MAL) Sdn Bhd.
CHRONOLOGY OF INCIDENT:-
7 th Jan’16 - 6 units Cuckoo water purifiers were installed in Maktab Rendah Sains Mara, Muar’s student hostel and teacher’s pantry.
9 th Jan’16 - MRSM's 30 students downed with food poisoning.
10 th Jan’16 - Balance 10 units Cuckoo water purifiers were installed in Maktab Rendah Sains Mara, Muar’s student hostels.
11 th Jan’16 - Authorities immediately issued warrants to seal the hostels. As part investigation procedure, all aspects were looked into, including the CUCKOO Water Purifiers.
REMARK: During this period, CUCKOO management closely monitored the students’ condition and realised that the others students from the hostel still consumed water from the CUCKOO Water Purifier during the seal period. However, no further food poisoning cases were reported. (Statement from the school principal)
24 th Jan’16 - The warrant was unsealed. The authorities performed a water quality test for the second time. The authorities did not find anything wrong with the CUCKOO Water Purifiers. Our product WAS NOT the cause of the food poisoning.
10 th Feb’16 - Right after CNY, CUCKOO took extra measures to ensure that CUCKOO's water quality is optimum. CUCKOO appointed Melaka Biotechnology Corporation to conduct a thorough test report and necessary tests. The results? No contamination.
25 th Feb’16 - Results from the Melaka Biotechnology Corporation came back positive. Therefore, the Principal of Maktab, Mr Sa’imin Bin Jumari was pleased with CUCKOO's service.
