But then, to gain their support, the Japanese upheld their prestige, restored pensions, and preserved their authority at least in Malay custom and Islamic religion.
The Japanese stole pensions and disregarded any former authority.
mnli hypothesis: The Japanese stole pensions and disregarded any former authority. premise: But then, to gain their support, the Japanese upheld their prestige, restored pensions, and preserved their authority at least in Malay custom and Islamic religion.