Former defence minister Hishammuddin Hussein (above) said he will start speaking up more on national issues now that the “honeymoon” period for the Pakatan Harapan government is almost over.

“I have made a conscious effort in the last 100 days (to) wait and see.

“The honeymoon period is over. Now I am going to make my views heard.

“I feel that after 100 days, it is about time that they proceed to govern and administer,” Hishammuddin said to reporters outside the Dewan Rakyat today.

He denied keeping a low-profile since the 14th general election (GE14) in May, despite the fact he also opted not to contest in the Umno party elections in June.

The Sembrong MP said among the issues he now wished to speak up about included the cancellation of the Saudi-backed King Salman Centre for International Peace (KSCIP), which he described as a loss to the government’s efforts in combating extremism.

Another issue, he said, was the welfare of veterans, soldiers and their families, as well as on military assets.

Hishammuddin that until now, he had been giving new Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu space to find his footing as the former acknowledged that it was a big ministry.

“To find fault with them (new government) so early in the day, I think will not be fair.

“Now it is very important they come up to speed.

“When it comes to security and defence, the stakes are very high,” Hishammuddin said.

On Monday, Mohamad Sabu had announced the closure of the KSCIP with immediate effect.

The centre, an initiative by the previous administration to collaborate with the Saudi government, to counter the influence of extremism and terrorist activities.