PKR Youth deputy chief Afif Bahardin has urged Umno and BN youths to side with change, amid scandals plaguing Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

"We would like to invite all Malaysian youths, particularly our friends in Umno and BN Youth, to join us in the agenda for change," he said in a statement today.

Afif said the country is presently facing a serious crisis under Najib's leadership.

"Najib, despite promising transformation in the beginning, have turned into an iron-fisted leader in trying to cling on to power amid his financial scandal and the worst crisis of integrity the country has ever seen.

"We are at a crossroads - whether to retain the old destructive shackles or undertake a commitment for change to save the country and the future generation," he said.

Afif said he is confident that majority of youths, regardless of race, religion, ideology or political leanings, want a new framework for the country to move forward.

He warned that Najib's struggle to remain in power has threatened the country's democratic and constitutional fundamentals.

Afif's call came hours after jailed PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim released a note through his party in which he endorsed efforts to set up a movement to oust Najib.

This is despite the movement comprising former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who was responsible for his first incarceration.

Anwar was in February last year jailed for five years for sodomy.

The conviction is a repeat of 1998 when Mahathir, who was then prime minister, sacked Anwar as deputy prime minister and accused him of immoral acts.

Anwar has maintained, on both occasions, that the charges are politically motivated.