Encik Abd Rani Hj Abd Razak, known to many as Cikgu Rani, was the former chief History teacher at Penang Free School. Renowned for his deep expertise in the SPM Sejarah papers, he built a solid reputation both within the school and among history teachers across the state. He was first posted to PFS in the early 2000s, left briefly in the 2010s, and returned in 2020.

I had the privilege of being his student during my upper-form years. Having heard so much about him, I was eager to meet the teacher who was so highly revered. Our first class was online, where En Rani spent a good hour meticulously breaking down every detail of the Sejarah 1249/1 and 1249/2 papers, ensuring we understood exactly what we would be facing in two years’ time.

En Rani was a blunt, direct, and practical teacher. If something wasn’t necessary, he didn’t dwell on it. His objective was clear: to equip students with answering techniques that would maximise their scores in SPM. His strategies were unparalleled in depth, particularly in tackling the critical lubuk markah (deep score) sections, such as KBAT questions.

His classes, however, were far from dry. Infused with satire and humour, every lesson was engaging and memorable. He seamlessly incorporated general knowledge into his teaching, making the syllabus easier to recall and more enjoyable to learn.

Whenever I passed by another class he was teaching, I often found myself stopping to listen, captivated by his wit and energy. He would notice, of course, and once quipped, "Ha, Jeremy, datang lagi nak dengar saya? Dah ajar kelas kamu, tapi masih nak dengar ke?" ("Have you come again to listen to me? I've already taught your class, but you still want to listen?"). We would then break into laughter.

As someone who closely followed Malaysian news and politics, I frequently sought Cikgu Rani’s insights. He never failed to provide thoughtful, well-reasoned answers, linking current events to our lessons and highlighting historical connections. His ability to address even the most controversial questions with diplomacy and evidence was remarkable. He offered perspectives we had never considered, broadening our understanding of history beyond textbooks.

A week before the SPM exam, he conducted a special answering technique workshop, drilling us on how to tackle the paper effectively. He then performed an in-depth analysis of past year papers and state trials, offering his analytical predictions on the likely exam topics.

True to his reputation, his predictions were near perfect. Every topic he emphasised appeared in the exam, down to the subtopics. We walked out of the exam hall with a weight lifted off our shoulders, grateful for his guidance. As we gathered around him to express our appreciation, little did we know that it would be one of the last times we would see him. I saw him once more at the school's annual roadshow, where I carried on my usual antics of asking him political questions.

When our SPM results were announced, we were overjoyed. Many of us had performed exceptionally well in Sejarah, including those who had previously struggled with the subject – a testament to En Rani’s dedication and expertise. The 2023 batch at Penang Free School even achieved a 100% pass rate in Sejarah. Unfortunately, Cikgu Rani could not attend the SPM celebrations due to health issues.

On Dec 7, 2024, we received the heartbreaking news that Cikgu Abd Rani had passed away due to health complications. His loss left us devastated, but he also left us with cherished memories and invaluable lessons that will stay with us forever.

Cikgu Rani, thank you for everything. Your impact on us will never fade with time, and you will always be remembered as an inspiration to all who had the privilege of knowing you as our Sejarah teacher.