The name Kemelah or FELDA Kemelah is connected to several stories. Before being given the name, it was known as Rancangan Tanah LKTP Tenang Station. LKTP is the old acronym for Federal Land Development Authority which is now known as FELDA – Federal Land Development Authority. The first exploration, managed by an English manager called Sir A.L. Gwyne, was in 1963 involving 113 people,

He was said to have converted to Islam and married a Malay woman from Pahang. In the earlier stages, the society’s response towards land exploration was not encouraging even though the government had given free land. At that time, to become a settler required a great sacrifice. Settlers have to single-handedly do all the land clearing tasks and then start planting rubber or oil palms. Then, they would have to wait years before they can reap any harvest.