One last addition...I think pap probably didn't expect PT to contest in Smc.
PT is more of a national figure who speaks well and voters like him. He can parachute in any SMC and give a good fight.
His pap opponent is a local politician from elsewhere whom residents might not be familiar. Liang advantage is he can depend on existing grassroots networks to help him which PT doesn't have.
The playing field is more or less even.
Good luck to PT
He has a chinese wife...