Malaysia's ruling coalition sent 41 lawmakers to Taiwan for a study tour, as opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim attempts to persuade MPs to defect in his campaign to overthrow the government. Opposition leaders are strategizing to remove the government by Anwar's deadline of September 16. Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has called a meeting of his coalition to prevent defections that could end its 50-year rule. Anwar's efforts to disrupt Malaysia's political order have increased political risks and worried foreign investors. The country's ballooning fiscal deficit, partially due to spending to boost the government's popularity after a general election loss last March, has also negatively impacted the ringgit currency, stock market, and bond prices. Adding to the atmosphere of uncertainty, Anwar is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday to confront a new sodomy charge that he believes has been fabricated by the government to sabotage his political aspirations. It is anticipated that the judge will transfer the case to a higher court. Members of the Barisan party informed the press before departing for Taiwan on an eight-day "study mission" that their trip was unrelated to the situation involving Anwar. Bung Mokhtar Radin, an MP from Sabah, stated at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, "We are going to Taiwan to learn about agriculture. This trip has no political motives." He departed along with 40 other MPs on Monday, with an additional eight scheduled to leave on Tuesday. The Barisan coalition currently has 140 MPs compared to the opposition's 82. Lim Kit Siang, an experienced opposition leader, suggested that the government MPs left Malaysia to prevent them from participating in potential political changes on September 16. He remarked that "the birds have flown" and mentioned the possibility of the MPs being closely monitored in Taiwan, with their mobile phones confiscated. According to a political analyst, the Taiwan trip could serve as a convenient excuse for Anwar in case he does not meet his deadline of September 16. Columnist Suhaini Aznam wrote in the Star newspaper that Barisan is falling into Anwar's psychological warfare tactics. Anwar met with leaders from the opposition Pakatan Rakyat alliance on Monday to discuss the takeover plan, as reported by his aides. Anwar was expected to release a statement following the meeting. Anwar, a former deputy prime minister, was dismissed in 1998 during the Asian financial crisis and later imprisoned for six years on charges of sodomy and corruption. He was victorious in a special election last month, which enabled him to return to parliament and potentially become the prime minister if the opposition alliance secures power.