Malaysia's ruling coalition brought 41 lawmakers to Taiwan for a study tour as opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim attempts to persuade MPs to defect in his bid to overthrow the government. Opposition leaders are strategizing on how to remove the government by Anwar's deadline of Sept. 16. Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has called for a meeting of his coalition to prevent defections that could end their 50-year rule. Anwar's efforts to disrupt Malaysia's longstanding political order have increased political risks and unsettled foreign investors. The country's growing fiscal deficit, exacerbated by measures to boost the government's popularity after a poor election performance last March, has negatively impacted the ringgit currency, stock market, and bond prices. Creating more uncertainty, Anwar is set to appear in court on Wednesday to confront a new sodomy charge that he believes the government fabricated to thwart his political aspirations. It is anticipated that the judge will move the case to a higher court. Barisan MPs informed the press before departing for Taiwan on an eight-day "study mission" that their visit was unrelated to Anwar's situation. Bung Mokhtar Radin, an MP from Sabah, stated at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, "We are going to Taiwan to learn about agriculture. This trip is not politically motivated." He and 40 other Members of Parliament departed on Monday. An additional eight MPs will leave on Tuesday. Barisan has 140 MPs compared to the opposition's 82. Lim Kit Siang, a seasoned opposition figure, stated that government MPs left Malaysia in order to avoid being involved in potential political changes on September 16. He mentioned that the MPs may be closely monitored and have their mobile phones confiscated while in Taiwan. According to a political analyst, the Taiwan trip could serve as a convenient excuse for Anwar in case he does not meet his September 16 deadline. Columnist Suhaini Aznam wrote in the Star newspaper that Barisan is falling into Anwar's psychological warfare tactics. Anwar held a meeting with leaders of the opposition Pakatan Rakyat alliance on Monday to discuss the takeover plan, as confirmed by his aides. Anwar, who was dismissed as deputy prime minister in 1998 during the Asian financial crisis and later imprisoned for six years on charges of sodomy and corruption, was expected to release a statement afterwards. Last month, he emerged victorious in a by-election that enabled him to return to parliament, positioning him to potentially become prime minister if the opposition alliance comes to power.