KUALA LUMPUR, June 28 -- With less than a week to go before Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad's resignation takes effect, PKR election co-director Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail is still hopeful the minister of natural resources and environmental sustainability will reconsider stepping down from Cabinet.

Saifuddin, who is also home minister, believes there is still time for Nik Nazmi to rethink the move, saying his skills and talent remain valuable to the government.

"I've known Nik for a long time - since I was PKR deputy Youth chief. He's very talented, very intellectual, and works in a systematic way," Saifuddin said in an interview with Berita Harian published today.

"He has chosen to resign, with his leave ending on July 4. With this smal...