Actually I flew 1st Class on MAS before: very good service, very good food, every course served on a separate trolley, maciam like fine French degustation menu but much more substantial portions. And I don't see the kind of SPG attitude seen in SIA stewardesses who fawn over ang moh passengers.
The only problem is the inconvenience of having to transit in KL, wasting much time on trans-Pacific flights.
All airlines have had history of major crashes. Of course some buy newer planes, some have better maintenance, some better-trained pilots, but with climate change, terrorism and hijacking mixing into the equation, every time you board a plane you pretty much toss a dice.