Being quite well travelled person myself, let me comment:
Yes, Malaysia is still a safe place to live in compared to many developed countries that Ive visited. But the issue here is have we gotten "safer" or is it "worst". I believe the latter.
Take New York for instance, during the 70s, 80s and up until the 90s youve really got to watch yourselve when you move around. Taking a wrong turn into Harlem or the Bronz could spell death but it has been all cleared up now. It has been voted as one of the safest large cities in the States. So, they have improved. Most organised crime have vanished and its possible walking down the streets in the middle of the night. I once took a subway from the Bronz back to Manhattan at 2 am. I felt safe although I still had to look over my shoulder. Having stated that, there are still "no go" zones in most large cities that I have been, even in LA or Frisco for that matter and definitely in the rougher cities of Detroit and Chicago.
Back home here in Malaysia in the 70s (if some of cyouv are old enough to remember) there are some areas that we were advised not to go, ie Chow Kit, Madras lane, Petaling Street, PJ, Old Town etc mainly due to triads and secret society activity. All that has been cleaned up with constant rounding up of "suspects" and throwing them to Pulau Jerejak or "buang negeri".
But the safety we now fear are not those kind but criminal, robbers, rapist, murderers, snatch thieves etc...These have all increased very much!