He told FMT that he and his wife, Laura, are looking for a school for their four-year-old son Zander.

“We thank all Malaysians for the incredible friendship towards our family,” he added.

Justo entered the limelight after his arrest in 2015 for leaking documents from oil and gas company PetroSaudi International on its joint venture with 1MDB. This eventually formed the basis for a money laundering investigation into the state investment fund.

However, it also landed him in a Thai jail for 18 months, for allegedly demanding payment in exchange for not disclosing confidential information.

Yesterday, the 53-year-old received a gift of US$2 million (RM8.2 million) from The Edge Media Group chairman Tong Kooi Ong for his role in exposing the scandal.

The Edge Markets quoted Tong as saying the money was a token of appreciation for Justo’s contribution to Malaysia in helping expose the kleptocracy of the previous government.

Justo told FMT he was grateful for the generous contribution, which would provide his family with financial stability.

“It is a reward for our family’s suffering to expose the 1MDB scandal,” he said.

“We lost everything, but even after my release after 18 months in jail, we fought for the truth to be established.

“We never gave up the fight against the real criminals, and we are still committed to bringing down the people who stole the money from Malaysians so that they can face justice.”

Malaysia, he said, could now see “a better future” ahead.