in 1960, following the end of the british rule in malaya, the name was changed to" 'maktab sultan abu bakar"' (msab) after sultan sir abu bakar of johor who was the father of modern johore. more local teachers were employed to teach at the school. in 1961, the school badge and uniforms were introduced for the first time. this was followed by creation of the school song with lyrics written by yusof bin karto set to music by lim teck siang.