Puad praised Loke as a realistic leader, adding that the leadership style of the Seremban MP is well-liked by many.

However, he said the “simplicity” that Loke tries to bring within DAP is tainted by “mischievous” actions that are difficult to control, thereby causing trouble for the party.

“The problem lies with the presence of ‘bad boys’ in any political party, including DAP. There will be members or leaders who cannot be controlled.

“They speak as they please. It troubles the party,” he said on Facebook.

He cited Beruas MP Ngeh Koo Ham, former DAP publicity secretary Tony Pua and DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang as examples of party leaders who frequently make “controversial statements unnecessarily”.

Puad made these comments in response to the controversy sparked by Ngeh’s proposal for the government to appoint non-Muslim experts to assist the special committee to review the competence of state assemblies to enact Islamic laws.

Loke later acknowledged Ngeh’s proposal as a mistake, emphasising that his party respects the wisdom of the Sultan of Selangor as the chairman of the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs in making decisions.

Earlier, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah told politicians, especially those who are not Muslims, to refrain from interfering in Islamic matters.