Malaysia needs the leadership of jailed former opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim right now, said PKR Youth chief Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.

"Anwar Ibrahim is the leader we need now. Even though he is being kept behind steel bars, yet his fighting spirit has never dimmed, his words still pack a punch and his views are still relevant," Nik Nazmi said in a statement today.

Today is the two-year anniversary since Anwar started serving his five-year jail sentence in Sungai Buloh Prison over sodomy charges.

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak has failed in every aspect of dignified leadership, he claimed, and Malaysia is now plagued by many problems.

"Looking at the problems of the country under the BN government as led by Najib, it should have made us realise that we need a leader who not only cares about the rakyat, but is also smart and just," he said.

Anwar, he said, is undoubtedly the best candidate for prime minister if Pakatan Harapan wins in the next election.

Meanwhile, the only way to ensure Anwar is freed is to defeat Najib and BN in the upcoming general election, he explained.

"Anwar has the leadership and the most qualified experience to heal this country.

"Our best bet to free Anwar is to make sure Umno-BN is defeated in the 14th General Election," he said.

The opposition coalition had been urged many times to nominate their candidate for prime minister if they were to win the elections but aside from Anwar, they have yet to come up with a definitive candidate.