An Australian newspaper at the center of the controversy surrounding allegations of abuse of power involving President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono remains unapologetic for publishing the "startling" accusations.

In an editorial titled "The new Indonesia faces a test of democracy," published on Thursday, The Age says Yudhoyono would hasten the formation of an open and accountable democracy in Indonesia if he responded to "these accusations with more rigour than it has displayed since the cables were reported last week."

Yudhoyono and his inner circle have so far refused to comment on the specific allegations contained in the leaked United States diplomatic cables, which include claims that members of the presidents family, including the first lady, Kristiani Herawati, had attempted to "profit financially from its political position."

Other claims include that Yudhoyono used the National Intelligence Agency (BIN) to spy on political opponents and used his influence to help Taufik Kiemas, the husband of former president Megawati Sukarnoputri, evade prosecution.

The Age said that it was important to note that "this is not a case of a single document containing accusations from a rogue source; rather, our reporting is based on numerous cables over several years that detail information gathered by senior US diplomats from a range of well-placed contacts."

"The Age does not presume to stand in judgment of Dr Yudhoyono on the matters raised in the previously secret cables, but nor do we apologize for exposing them and him to the harsh light of public scrutiny. Whatever else the cables show, they suggest that the so-called new Indonesia – free of the corrupt culture that poisoned the country's political, military and judicial institutions through and beyond the Suharto era – remains elusive."

The Melbourne-based paper also noted that it was disappointing that the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) had said it would not launch an investigation into the allegations, particularly given Yudhoyono's statement that Yudhoyono himself declared he would be "accountable for whatever I do."

"Indonesia's evolution as a democracy would be hastened by an open and comprehensive testing of these disturbing claims."