L4Ka::Pistachio code style

i have browsed the source code of L4Ka::Pistachio 0.4 (L4P). most of
the source code in "kernel/src/" is written in this style:

1.)  "x->y(z)"   : a struct pointer
2.) pointers instead of refrences  :   at most places.

it is C++ written in C style rather than the C++ design advocated by
Stroustrup and other respected members of the C++ community . why
L4Ka::Pistachio adopted this style & why it does not use "Standard
Library, Class mechanism & Templates" at most places instead of that
low-level C style. [1]

i dont know C but i have done some C++ where i did some optimization
of 2 programmes, one using "string" class & other using "malloc/free"
& "string" class was as fast as "malloc/free" & i know Templates are
"compile-time" mechanism, hence not they do not produce any run-time
overhead.

[1] i am not trying to start a flame-war. i only want to know the
issues, whether technical or others, behind this decision. i am pretty
much interested in microkernel based OSs & have read several papers &
articles on HURD, L4 & Coyotos, Haskell, BitC, MINIX & Common Lisp. i
was intersted in doing some contributions to a copyleft OS. i have
downloaded the L4Ka::Pistachio source & also the HURD K-10 CD-1.

-- arnuld
http://arnuld.blogspot.com/