From 1826, British law was technically in force (except for Muslim custom), but in practice few British lived in the Straits, and Asian community affairs were run by merchant leaders serving as unofficial kapitans.
Not many British citizens lived in the Straits from 1826 despite British law being in place.
mnli hypothesis: Not many British citizens lived in the Straits from 1826 despite British law being in place. premise: From 1826, British law was technically in force (except for Muslim custom), but in practice few British lived in the Straits, and Asian community affairs were run by merchant leaders serving as unofficial kapitans.