What the chickens do in Malaya (3)

I believe the answer is:

lay

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'what the chickens do' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.

'in malaya' is the wordplay.
'in' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue.
'LAY' is hidden within 'malaya'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for lay that I've seen before include "Not ordained; song" , "Stake (a bet); song" , "Put down (eg, card)" , "Song-ballad" , "Unprofessional" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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