Malaysia's ruling coalition brought 41 lawmakers to Taiwan for a study tour, coinciding with opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim's efforts to persuade MPs to defect in his bid to remove the government. Anwar had set a deadline of Sept. 16 to oust the government, prompting top opposition leaders to strategize on Monday. Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi scheduled a meeting for his coalition on Tuesday to prevent any defections that could end its 50-year rule. Anwar's push to disrupt the political status quo since independence from Britain in 1957 has increased Malaysia's political risks and unsettled foreign investors. The country's growing fiscal deficit, partly due to spending to regain popularity after a poor general election last March, has also negatively impacted the ringgit, 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 the government has fabricated to sabotage his political aspirations. The judge is anticipated to transfer the case to a higher court. Barisan MPs informed reporters before departing for Taiwan on an eight-day "study mission" that their trip was unrelated to the Anwar situation. Bung Mokhtar Radin, an MP from Sabah, stated at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, "We are going to Taiwan to study agriculture. This trip has no political significance." He, along with 40 other Members of Parliament, departed on Monday. An additional eight MPs will leave on Tuesday. The Barisan coalition has 140 MPs compared to 82 for the opposition. Lim Kit Siang, an experienced opposition figure, claimed that government MPs had to leave Malaysia to prevent them from participating in potential political shifts on September 16. He mentioned that the MPs may face constant monitoring and have their phones confiscated while in Taiwan. A political analyst suggested that Anwar's Taiwan trip could serve as a convenient excuse if he did not meet his September 16 deadline. Columnist Suhaini Aznam wrote in the Star newspaper that Barisan's actions were playing into Anwar's psychological warfare tactics. Anwar met with leaders of the opposition Pakatan Rakyat alliance on Monday to discuss the takeover plan, according to his aides. Anwar, who was sacked in 1998 and later imprisoned on sodomy and corruption charges, was expected to issue a statement following the meeting. He emerged victorious in a special election last month, allowing him to return to parliament and potentially become the prime minister if the opposition alliance is successful in gaining power.