KUALA LUMPUR - Debate on a hudud bill has been deferred to the next session of the Malaysian parliament in what is being seen as a setback to its author, Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS) president.

The move was to allow debate on the controversial amendments to the Sedition Act in the current session of the Dewan Negara, according to the Malaysian Insider which quoted Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim.

Hudud is a set of laws and punishments set out in the Quran that calls for flogging and amputation, among other forms of punishment.

PAS introduced the hudud bill in Parliament to allow for it to implemented.

Hudud has already been passed in the Kelantan state assembly because PAS has a majority in the chamber. However, it cannot be implemented until Parliament passes a constitutional amendment.