Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng is upset that some segments of the Chinese media is out to "publicly vilify" him by allegedly twisting his words about the role of state-funded think-tank Penang Institute (PI).

He said such newspapers even put words into his mouth, and reported him as saying that PI should be grateful to the state government.

“I did not even mention the word grateful,” Lim said, when contacted about remarks he made during the launch of PI’s new building yesterday.

His remark has now gone viral on social media, with many condemning him for insulting academicians. Some described him as being “arrogant” for saying that they have to be loyal to the state.

"I said they are expected to be loyal but some dissent and constructive criticism based on facts are allowed; when I mentioned loyalty, I do not mean personal loyalty to me but to the state.

“They can have differences of opinion but must not betray the state like being involved in corruption or sabotaging the state,” Lim said.

He said since the state provides fund to PI, its researchers must perform according to the ideals of the state, and the staff must maintain their passion for work.

“It is the Utusanisation of some segments of the Chinese press to kill me politically. It is a deliberate distortion on my speech, sensationalising it to run me down,” Lim ranted.

He was then directing his criticism at pro-Umno Malay language daily Utusan Malaysia for its frequent negative report on his administration in Penang.

Lim denied being disrespectful to researchers at PI, saying using the term ‘dog’ was not meant to denigrate them.

He said the Western world deemed dogs as loveable creatures but those in the Eastern world may think otherwise.

“When we use the term watchdog, do you mean we are calling you a dog? Don’t be silly, we are not calling anyone dogs,” Lim said.

He was responding to Mandarin language daily China Press which quoted him as saying to PI, “Don’t bite the hand that feeds you but you can bark."

Sin Chew Daily had quoted Lim as saying that the country was heading in the direction of blind loyalty, adding: “You cannot bite the hand that feeds you nor can you bark."

Lim said he went on to say that “some barking and dissent should be allowed” but since PI received state funding, it should not spoil the state’s image.