Malaysia's ruling coalition sent 41 lawmakers to Taiwan for a study tour, while opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim attempted to persuade MPs to defect in his bid to overthrow the government. Opposition leaders were strategizing on how to remove the government by September 16, but Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi called for a meeting to prevent any defections that could end the coalition's 50-year rule. Anwar's efforts to disrupt the political order established since independence in 1957 have increased Malaysia's political risks and worried foreign investors. The country's growing fiscal deficit, exacerbated by spending to regain popularity after a poor election result in March, has also negatively impacted the currency, stock market, and bond prices. Anwar is facing a new sodomy charge in court on Wednesday, which he believes is a ploy by the government to sabotage his political aspirations, further adding to the atmosphere of uncertainty. Barisan MPs denied any connection to the Anwar situation as they departed for Taiwan on an "agricultural study mission," insisting that their trip was not political in nature. He departed on Monday along with 40 other MPs. An additional eight MPs will leave on Tuesday. Barisan holds 140 MPs compared to the opposition's 82. Lim Kit Siang, an experienced opposition figure, stated that government MPs were compelled to leave Malaysia in order to prevent them from participating in potential "political changes" on September 16. He mentioned that the MPs are now in Taiwan and may be under constant surveillance with their mobile phones confiscated. According to a political analyst, the trip to Taiwan could serve as a convenient excuse for Anwar if he does not meet his September 16 deadline. Columnist Suhaini Aznam wrote in the Star newspaper that Barisan is falling for Anwar's psychological warfare tactics. Anwar held a meeting with leaders of the opposition Pakatan Rakyat alliance on Monday to discuss the takeover plan, with a statement expected to follow. Anwar, who was dismissed as deputy prime minister in 1998 during the Asian financial crisis, served a six-year prison sentence on charges of sodomy and corruption. He emerged victorious in a by-election last month, which enabled him to return to parliament, positioning him to potentially become the prime minister if the opposition alliance secures power.