Malaysia competed in the 2008 Summer Olympics, held in Beijing, People's Republic of China.

Lee Chong Wei won the nation's first medal in twelve years in the badminton men's singles final despite losing to Lin Dan, from the host country China.

It was the second silver medal ever won throughout Malaysia's participation history since its nationhood in 1957.

Hockey legend Dato Ho Koh Chye was the chef-de-mission of the delegation.

Only men qualified for Malaysia, with Cheng Chu Sian and Muhammad Marbawi Sulaiman earning spots for the country by placing 8th and 27th, respectively, at the 2007 World Outdoor Target Championships and Wan Khalmizam Wan Abd Aziz adding a third spot with his third-place finish at the Asian championships.